Site Meter

Monday, June 04, 2007

Toronto Star: A haven for South Asian women

Took me a year to find out that this Muslim Welfare Centre exists in Whitby. Weird that I eventually find out about this through the Toronto Star. Read the article. Kudos to the people who runs this centre. These domestic issues need to be addressed at every level in our communities. Cant put our hands on our eyes and pretend they do not exsist. Of course this problem is not unique to Muslim communities.

Regardless, I believe that the community itself needs to step up to resolve it's own problems because the community itself is the most skilled in understanding its own situation the best. I recall discussions I have had with volunteers from downtown shelters who complain about the lack of muslim volunteers, which often leaves them ill equiped to deal with Muslim youth. Specially when it comes down to understanding the roots of the problems that the Muslim youth face when they leave thier homes for these shelters. Yes, unfortunately quite a few Muslim youth end up in these shelters. Anyways read article below about some good work being done in Whitby.

A haven for South Asian womenA family shelter in Whitby offers refuge for abused Muslim women

Sara Shah sits in her near-empty apartment quietly studying her hands. With her long black braid and smooth, unlined face she seems much younger than her almost-40 years.

Sara (not her real name) moved here just a few weeks ago. There are no curtains, no showy knick-knacks. There's just a table and two shabby chairs. A handful of toys lines the floor along one wall.

Her 3-year-old son rides his tricycle in circles, the wheels thundering in the emptiness. Sara sends him to ride in the other room.

She takes a deep breath and continues with the story of the marriage she left just four months ago.

"For three years, it was like I was being burned alive............READ ON

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Abuse of females is the curse of closed societies, Muslim ones included. The open light of truth is the best disinfectent.

Ya Haqq!