The Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation is dispelling misconceptions while trying to help people of all faiths, particularly domestic abuse victims.
The non-profit group opened its thrift and consignment shop Resale Sophisticate in 2009 to raise money for its social programs and a future “safe house” for women fleeing domestic violence. Additional rooms in the store are for classes to teach clients needed skills such as English.
“Number one, money the store makes will stay within Texas,” said Mona Kafeel, vice president of the organization.
The proceeds cover expenses such as counseling those suffering in violent relationships and families in distress. Hopefully, if extra money is raised then it could fund youth and education programs. The foundation raises awareness about domestic violence and has a youth group. Members also give clients referrals for social services and participate in interfaith dialogues.
The future shelter will serve women of any faith and provide them the means to practice their religion. Shelter staff will meet women’s needs such as diet, language and privacy. The safe house will be called Saaya, after a parable of a tree that gave a traveler cool shade on a hot day.
Foundation members hope to have a property for the shelter in three to six months, Kafeel said. However, the foundation has already spent money earmarked operating the shelter for six months to meeting present demands for social services instead.
The domestic violence caseload has grown possibly because of more awareness of the group, Kafeel said. In October 2009 the foundation received one domestic abuse case a month. Since then it has 35 cases in addition to other types of cases. Two shelters the foundation works with are always overcrowded, Kafeel added.
The scope of the group expanded since founders first gathered after 9/11 to talk about ways to dispel stereotypes about Muslim women. Many people think Muslim women always stay at home when the reality is that Muslim women can be strong and independent, Kafeel said.
They also discussed abusive relationships – a taboo subject.
“Domestic violence is rampant in our community but we don’t want to talk about it,” Kafeel said. “We want to tell the rest of the world we do have a voice. Domestic violence exists and we must face it and deal with it.”
The Plano-based foundation became an official non-profit organization in 2005. Originally the group was going to serve Muslim women but members saw such a demand for social services that they extended their reach to all women and men. The foundation is run mostly by volunteers who include doctors and therapists. Membership represents 22 countries.
People are surprised by the diversity of the group, Kafeel said.
“They will see a woman covered head to toe, and then they will see another woman in a skirt,” she said. “People are confused.”
Area residents are generally tolerant but the Dallas-Fort Worth area is still in the Bible Belt and many have conservative attitudes, said Mary Wills, a spokeswoman.
Wills is white and was raised Christian but was eager to help the group with publicity because of the cause. When she first got involved with the foundation, some of her friends had reservations.
“My roommate, who I knew for 10 years, said ‘Mary are you sure?’” Wills said.
But educating the public helped dispel stereotypes and the community has been supportive, Kafeel said. Allies include a local women’s group, a synagogue and a Christian church.
ff
