Domestic violence is an abhorrent problem that affects families from all ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. On January 25, 2014, more than 250 members of the North Texas Muslim community came together to stand up against domestic violence at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation’s ninth annual fundraiser.
The event featured Imam Yaseen Shaik as keynote speaker. Imam Yaseen was the imam at the Islamic Association of Collin County in Plano, and recently became the resident scholar at the Islamic Society of Baltimore. The much beloved religious leader returned to North Texas to speak out against domestic violence and ask men in the Muslim community to adopt a zero tolerance policy toward domestic violence. He was joined by honorary guest Imam Abdel Malik Mujahed, several imams from the mosque shuras in North Texas, and the young men of Alif Laam Meem, America’s first Muslim fraternity, to recommit to a 2011 pledge against domestic violence.
Proceeds from the event supported Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation’s Peace in the Home initiatives, including the Peaceful Oasis shelter, the first and only domestic violence shelter in North Texas to serve the specific needs of Muslim victims of domestic violence. Since opening in December 2012, the Peaceful Oasis shelter has served 122 women, nearly double the number initially estimated. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters at the annual fundraiser, we will be able to continue providing outreach, shelter and counseling to domestic violence victims.