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Hurma Myth: Children are always safe in the masjid or with their Qur’an teacher.

The facts are:

  1. Muslim teachers, including those who are hafidh, have memorised the Qur’an, are human and susceptible to wrongdoing.
  2. Someone can have good knowledge of Islam, but still have psychological or spiritual dysfunction which makes them unfit and unsafe to be around children.

What does this mean?

  1. Dismantling feelings of shame, blame, and misappropriated cultural modesty enables children to communicate instances of mistreatment at an early stage.
  2. It’s crucial to maintain vigilance and scrutiny over all individuals entrusted with responsibility and authority
    over children.
  3. Swift actions by adults halts current and potential harm to other children.

What should I do?

  1. Ask your masjid what safeguarding procedures are in place to protect children.
  2. Talk to your children about what behavior is unacceptable from an adult or another child.
  3. Encourage children to tell you if they feel uncomfortable with what a teacher asks or does.
  4. Avoid telling a child that they must always obey those in authority (“The teacher is always right.”)

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Henna Khawja

Mental Health Advisor

Henna Khawja is a Registered Social Worker with a special focus on the spectrum of gender based violence in Muslim communities. With over twelve years in the field, Henna currently works in sexual violence prevention and education with the University of Toronto, and is a Psychotherapist in private practice. Henna has worked with children, youth and adults in community, legal, child protection, corporate and university settings. Henna has also acted as the first Clinical Director for the Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the years, she has focused her work on supporting Survivors of trauma and violence along their healing journeys (including but not limited to gender based, spiritual, domestic, intimate partner, sexual, family, intergenerational, community violence). Henna has extensive experience working with Muslim & racialized communities in both Canada and the USA, as well as Pakistan and Zanzibar.

If you would like to connect with Henna for support and/or questions, please click here.