Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to your parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess:

For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;
(Qur'an 4:36)

 Contact: Kathleen Taylor

 E-MAIL CONTACT: rihealthyfamilies@ricma.org

 

 

 

Click here to view HFI NEW blog

 

 

 

"Garments for One Another"

 

Assalam u alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Brothers & Sisters;
 
The Healthy Families Initiative, a RICMA program, is continuing its DVD viewing
of "Garments for One Another" and invites the Muslim community to attend,
insha'Allah on Oct 17th.
 
This is a 3-part educational video series that offers the views of imams and
other Muslim scholars and leaders who provide assurance that no form of domestic
abuse is accepted in Islam, and that taking a stand against domestic abuse is an
individual and a community responsibility. The video series was created by a
Muslim organization for Muslim communities.
 
Parts 1 & 2 have already been shown and, insha'Allah, will be shown again in the
future.
 
Part 3: What We Can Do to End Domestic Abuse. October 17th 4-6pm, Masjid
Al-Kareem
 
Light refreshments will be served and babysitting is available for a fee of $5
per child or $15 for 3 or more children.
 
The viewing will begin PROMPTLY at 4pm, followed by Asr prayers and an open
discussion.

 

 

 

                 

5th annual Tools of the Trade Luncheon, Women of Achievement Awards

 

              

 

           Claire (mother), Chris (sister) share this proud moment with Kathleen.

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       HFI and friends of Kathleen show their support.

 

SUPPORTING ANTI-VIOLENCE POLICIES/PROGRAMS: Kathleen A. Taylor

is co-chair for the Healthy Families Initiative at the Rhode Island Council for

Muslim Advancement. She is founder of this grassroots movement offering

intervention/prevention services to Muslims experiencing domestic violence.

"Never be fearful of walking to the beat of your own heart, listen to what your

 intuition tells you and don't be afraid to take a leap of faith." - Kathleen A. Taylor

 

Providence Journal (www.projo.com)

14 women to be honored for improving

others’ lives

 

01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, September 26, 2009

 

LINCOLN — Fourteen local women will be honored at an awards ceremony on

Wednesday for their efforts to improve the lives of women, girls and people of color.

The YWCA Northern Rhode Island is hosting the 5th annual Tools of the Trade

Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkbrae Country Club and will

present Women of Achievement Awards to educators, coaches, legislators,

business leaders, grassroots organizers, lawyers and advocates for their

efforts to promote women’s rights, economic well-being and safety.

 

The 14 honorees are:

 

•Clarice L. Thompson, music educator and composer; artist-in-residence at the

 Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School.

•Shanna Wells, director of the Rhode Island Commission on Women.

•Margaret “Digit” Murphy, Brown University women’s hockey head coach

•State Rep. Donna M. Walsh, D-Charlestown.

•Lisa Bergeron, motivational speaker and president of Leading Women SENE.

•Yvonne Freeman, medical management team leader, Neighborhood Health

Plan of Rhode Island.

•Paige Clausius-Parks, advisor and teacher at the Met Center.

•Kathleen A. Taylor, co-chairwoman for Healthy Families Initiative at the

Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement.

•Nancy Rafi, executive director of the Rhode Island Crisis Assistance Center.

•Ana Giron, director of victim services for the Department of Attorney General.

•Tracy C. Baran, counselor-at-law at Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP; board

member for the R.I. Women’s Bar Association.

•Mary-Kim Arnold, executive director of the Rhode Island Council for the

Humanities.

•Valerie Tutson, executive director of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers.

•Karen Feldman, co-director of Young Voices; contributes to YWCA Northern

Rhode Island’s Parenting in Progress program.

The awards luncheon costs $50. For more details or to purchase tickets,

visit www.womenofachievementri.org, or call Lisa Piscatelli at (401) 769-7450.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon: Removing the Silence on Domestic Violence

by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf 

 

 

 

August 12, 2009
 
Rhode Island Muslims Tackle Domestic Violence through Education
 
The Healthy Families Initiative (HFI), a family well-being and healthy marital
relationships program, under the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement
(RICMA), has been swiftly breaking ground in the Muslim community by enlisting
the support of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV),
and drawing on existing Islamic resources available.

 

Dedicated to all those who are mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties, nieces, cousins, neighbors, friends .

survivors of domestic violence.
 

                        I Am a Strong Woman

I am a strong woman, not because of muscles, but because I said “no more”.
I am strong because I am no longer a victim of domestic violence.
I am strong because I dialed 911.
I am strong because I left a physically, verbally and emotionally abusive relationship.
I am strong because I would not, and will not; allow his words and actions to harm me anymore.
I am strong because I deserve to be treated with respect, honor, and dignity.
I am strong because I survived.
I am strong because I took my power back.
I am strong because I am worthy of a better life.
I am strong because I cared enough about myself and my daughter to leave.
I am strong because my daughter can now grow up in an abusive-free home.
I am strong because I have friends and family who love and support me.
I am strong because I am taking the steps to live a healthier life.
I am strong, because I refuse to be silent - my story may help others to be strong.
I am strong because when I finally asked Allah for help - He loved, comforted, and guided me to safety.

Become strong - for your children and most importantly, for yourself!

I Am a Strong Woman

©2009 Kathleen A. Taylor

 

Kathleen Taylor, a domestic violence survivor and co-chair of the initiative,
recently met with Deborah DeBare, Executive Director of RICADV, to reach out and
establish a working relationship with the coalition.  Identifying the challenges
faith-based communities face when dealing with domestic violence in their
communities, and gathering information on the programs and resources available
to victims and abusers by the agencies of the Coalition was only the beginning
to this alliance.
 
To demystify some of the stigma surrounding domestic violence in the Muslim
community, the Healthy Families Initiative is presenting a three-part
educational series entitled: “Garments for One Another”, which includes the
showing of the DVD by the same title.  The DVD was produced in collaboration
with the Faith Trust Institute by the Peaceful Families Project, a national
organization that promotes awareness for Muslim leaders and communities on the
Islamic perspective on domestic violence.  It deals with the basics of domestic
violence and the religious backdrop on the forbiddance of abuse.  In the DVD,
prominent scholars such as Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, and a myriad of professionals in
the field such as Salma Abuguidieri, clearly explain the ins and outs of how and
why abuse takes place in some Muslim homes.
 
On Saturday, August 8, 2009, a diverse crowd of Muslims from the Rhode Island
community attended the first part of the “Garments for One Another” educational
series at the Islamic Center of Rhode Island (ICRI) in Providence.  A panel Q&A
session and discussion immediately followed, led by Lucy Rios, Director of
Prevention, RICADV; Sister Mariam Mateen (Donna Coleman), Shelter Manager of the
Elizabeth Buffum Chace House; Brother Abdul-latif Sackor, Assistant Imam of ICRI
and Muslim Chaplain with the MA Department of Corrections; and Jamilah White,
Parole Officer with the RI Department of Corrections.
 
Lucy Rios opened the discussion by giving a brief introduction about the RICADV,
the member agencies, and the unique services each provides.  She explained that
RI faith-based communities face similar challenges when dealing with Domestic
Violence, and stressed the importance of prevention as a means to help the
cause.
 
Sister Mariam Mateen answered the question on what happens when someone calls
the 800-number for help.  She explained that a screening is conducted during
calls, to learn the demographics of the victim, and assess the level of safety
and nature of the violence.  She expounded on the nature of services available
to victims and their children, which include support groups, counseling,
services for the elderly, and children programs.  In addition, Sister Mateen
also shed some light on what accommodations shelters provide for Muslims in
their facilities.  Surprisingly, shelters are very accepting of religious
observances by Muslims, and have in the past accommodated victims’ needs for a
place to pray and halal foods, amongst other practices.
 
Sister Jamilah White addressed questions dealing with offenders, restraining and
no-contact orders, and the legal system.  She expressed her concern for victims
when requests to drop no-contact orders are presented to her.  As a parole
officer, her responsibility is to ensure paroled batterers successfully complete
intervention programs to eliminate the likelihood of repeated offences.
 
Assistant Imam Abdul-latif Sackor focused on questions dealing with the Islamic
perspective.  When asked what happens when someone approaches Muslim community
leaders with concerns or complaints of domestic violence, he stated the dire
need of training for leaders to recognize, and effectively address domestic
violence in the community.  He concurred that leaders have the Islamic knowledge
in support of zero tolerance but are unprepared to practically implement
protocols to assess and deal with domestic violence cases.
 
Overall, the Healthy Families Initiative has been gaining tremendous momentum
since its inception back in June 2009.  Still in its infancy, the Healthy
Families Initiative aspires to promote healthy relationships, and be a resources
hub for services available for those experiencing domestic violence in the
Muslim community.
 
For more information on the Healthy Families Initiative, please contact:
rihealthyfamilies@ricma.org
 
Written by: Enith Morillo