In the name of Allah, The Beneficial and Merciful
OUR HISTORY Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Project Director for the
MCC for Human Services was founded in
1995 by a group of concerned citizens in
an effort to provide health and social ser-
vices to indigent communities. MCC has
been providing outpatient counseling to
victims of domestic violence for many
years. In 2006, MCC hired a full-time so-
cial worker and launched a training pro-
gram for volunteers to provide the
needed services.
OUR SERVICES
• 24 Hour Confidential
Helpline: 817-589-9165
• Culturally-sensitive peer
counseling and support
• Referrals for professional
counseling and other victim
services
• Referrals for legal services
• Translation
• Crime Victims
Compensation application
CONTACT
Family Violence and Marital Harmony Program, is the founder
and chairman of Muslim Community Center for Hu-
INFORMATION MCC for Human Services
man Services, a medical and social service organization
that helps indigent Muslims residing in the Dallas/Fort
Worth. MCC for Human Services
Born in Hyderabad (DN), India, Dr. Ahmed obtained his Glenview Drive
medical degree from Dow Medical College, Karachi, and
completed his postgraduate studies at Glasgow University,
Scotland. He is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and a Distin-
N. Richland Hills, TX
guished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Marital harmony and
He has held faculty positions at Albert Einstein College of
76180
Medicine, NY, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, and Family violence program
Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX. Dr. Ahmed is
the past president of the Islamic Medical Association,
North America, and past president of the Islamic Associa-
tion of Tarrant County.
24 Hour Helpline
Dr. Ahmed, who published and presents on "Domestic 817-589-9165
Violence: Islamic Perspective," can be reached at mbah-
med@hotmail.com
“No matter what I do, it’s never right”
Ms. Talaun S. Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator for
the Family Violence and Marital Harmony Program, has a
Bachelors degree in Psychology, a Masters degree in Soci- If something about your relationship with
ology and a Masters degree in Social Work from the Uni-
versity of Texas at Arlington. She has worked as a medi- Your spouse scares you, and you need to talk, call us.
cal social worker and as a mental health and substance
abuse counselor. We’re here for you 24 hours a day
Ms. Thompson received the Ghana, West Africa Fellow-
ship and engaged in quanitative independent research. Her
It’s time for women of faith to take a stand against
master’s thesis was titled “Couple Conflict Leading to
Marital Instability.” Domestic Violence
Ms. Thompson is a member of the American Psychological
Association, American Sociological Association and Na-
tional Association of Social Workers.
This project was supported by Grant No. 2005-VF-GX-K032
awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Pro-
Empowering families
grams, U.S. Department of Justice (Grant). Points of view in this
Ms. Thompson can be reached at talaunt@yahoo.com document are those of the author and do not necessarily repre- through compassion,
sent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of
Justice.
support, and education
 Domestic Violence
The media reports frequently about the
high incidents of domestic violence in
our society, and Congress renewed the
Act on Violence Against Women in Oc-
tober 2002. Many people think that it
only occurs in the U.S. and Western cul-
tures, but family violence also exists in
Muslim families. In fact, it may exist
more frequently in Muslim countries.
Abusive behavior can include::
Psychological Abuse - threats of bod-
ily harm, taking away children, killing
spouse or self, control of finances,
food or medication, and restriction of
socialization, even with family members
Emotional Abuse - cursing, screaming,
and degradation by constantly criticiz-
ing spouse’s thoughts, feelings, and
opinions
Physical Abuse - hitting, kicking,
punching, choking, burning, or causing
lacerations or fracture
Sexual Abuse - forcing unwanted sex-
ual activity
According to Muslim women activists in the
United States, over 10% of Muslim women
are abused emotionally and physically by
their husbands. The number of incidents are
much higher than are reported.
Islamic Perspective
Under no circumstances is violence
against women encouraged or allowed
in Islam. The relationship between the
husband and the wife should be one of
mutual love, respect, and kindness.
Quran says, “O believers! Treat women
with kindness, even if you dislike them;
it is quite possible that you dislike some-
thing which Allah might yet make a
source of abundant good.” (4:19)
Quran also says, “When you divorce
women, and they have reached the end
of their waiting period, (iddat) either al-
low them to stay with honor or let them
go with kindness. You should not retain
them or harm or take undue advan-
tage.”
Domestic violence is a crime. It is not
a private family matter. Unless we make
concerted efforts to educate about do-
mestic violence, its serious conse-
quences, its effect on the children and
the Islamic perspective, very few people
will seek help. In order to stop domestic
violence in our community, our leaders,
including imams and scholars, have to
become aware and involved.
COMMON ANGER VS. OUR VOLUNTEERS
POWER, CONTROL,
AND ABUSE
Disagreements occur at some point in all
Many of our services are provided by
marriages. Domestic violence is different
volunteers who speak English as well as
from routine arguments and expressions
Arabic, Urdu, and other languages.
of anger. Similarly, in certain cultures,
MCC volunteers receive training and
women are encouraged to stay home an
supervision with a psychiatrist and so-
are not allowed to drive. While these are
cial worker in:
examples of inequality and oppression,
they should not be confused or equated • Confidentiality
with domestic violence.
• Communication Skills
In domestic violence, abusers show a • Dynamics of Family Violence
complex pattern of behavior that may be
• Public resources for crime victims
verbally or physically aggressive in an ef-
fort to control the victim. To further con- Other volunteer opportunities include:
fuse the matter, the abuser often main- • Publicity
tains a positive public appearance.
• Newsletter
• Outreach/ Seminars
• Sustainability Planning
Take a stand against domestic violence! • General Tasks
• Do not accept or excuse violent behavior If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact Dr. Basheer Ahmed or
• Help and support victims of violence
Talaun Thompson: 817-589-9165
• Disseminate information about domestic
mcchs2005@hotmail.com
violence
Your silence is regarded as acceptance of domestic YOU CAN MAKE A
violence
DIFFERENCE