Now more than ever, we can see the impact advocacy can have. Advocating not only allows people to be heard, it influences laws, policies, and systems to drive real change. As Muslims, we have an obligation to be the voice for the voiceless and speak up on injustices we see at every level.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.” Sahih Muslim 49
Oftentimes we feel helpless watching our brothers and sisters suffering, whether that is on a macro level such as world news and within our own communities, or on a micro level like among family/friends and individual situations. Your voice is a powerful tool, and learning how to use it to raise awareness, can inspire many people to speak up and stand against violence and oppression, however uncomfortable it may be.
Learn about the resources and information available to you, and stay informed about what is happening. Being well-educated and speaking intentionally is incredibly important when it comes to speaking up for others – you want to be able to direct people to the right resources to learn from themselves, and to access it if they are in need.
Oftentimes, people are unaware of the injustices and realities many people have to live with. The first step to prevention is speaking up and educating those around you, as many people unknowingly push harmful or false narratives through a lack of understanding or misinformation. By addressing these topics and dispelling harmful myths, you can shed light on sensitive topics and start the dialogue to pave the way to actionable solutions.
As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Change can start with you, but power is in numbers. One voice can be the catalyst to driving awareness in communities, and coming together and mobilizing resources is powerful, whether that be raising awareness or raising funds.
Speaking up is our collective responsibility to uplift those in need and empower communities to come together to create impactful change. Leaving all of the speaking out for activists isn’t going to help create change – we all have an obligation to be the voice, even if it is only within our own communities and circles. Oftentimes, it’s these conversations that can have the most impact. Never underestimate the power of your voice – A moment of discomfort for you can create the change of a lifetime for someone else.
Sakeenah Canada, a national charitable organization, was founded in 2018 in response to a gap in culturally and religiously sensitive services available for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Since then, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counseling. Sakeenah has also started The People’s Market, a food program that helps combat food insecurity, and has become the first licensed foster care agency for Muslim children in all of North America. We currently operate 8 transitional homes across Canada: Toronto, Brampton, Milton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Regina, in addition to the first long-term housing program for Muslim women and children in Canada, in Windsor.
Every night, thousands of women and children in Canada face homelessness, poverty, and trauma. We are on a mission to change that.
While Sakeenah functions at a national level, our head office and The People’s Market operate out of land that is part of the Treaty and Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations.
Sakeenah believes that while a land acknowledgement is the first step, we also understand that land acknowledgements alone are not sufficient to redress the harm caused by centuries of land theft, forced displacement and ongoing acts of settler colonialism. We recognize that this work is ongoing and complex, and we are dedicated to doing our part to create a better future for all.
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