A major report by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding examines the historically taboo subject of divorce in the North American Muslim community. A lot of people are concerned about the rise of divorce, but no one has documented the challenges couples face and how the community can better support them. The study is based on four years of research and included focus group discussions, questionnaires, interviews with a wide range of Muslims.
The objective of the study is to provide resources to the community for dealing with divorce on the community and family level. Author Julie Macfarlane addresses how the community and families can be better resources for couples facing challenges and what support and services counselors and community leaders can provide in times of marital crisis. Respondents in this study described the significance of Islamic marriage and divorce for them both as believing Muslims, and as members of their cultural community for whom these processes represent their affirmation of an Islamic identity.
This four-year empirical study has encouraged individuals and groups to discuss marital conflict openly and frankly. The goal was to explore what they understand as their Islamic obligations in marriage, the challenges they face in their married lives, and under what circumstances they might consider divorce – including their decision-making process, where they turn for help, and what rituals of closure and divorce outcomes are important to them.
The report is an extremely important look at the state of marriage in the Muslim community and ways in which the community can provide resources both before marriage and during times of marital conflict.
The full report can be found at www.ispu.org.
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