Thursday 9th January 2025
Online
In collaboration with Sacred BMS

Unity Family Services was honoured to collaborate on the second instalment of the “In Conversation With” series—an important and thought-provoking online discussion hosted by Sacred BMS (body:mind:space). This session featured Shaykh Amer Jamil and Dr Rahmanara Chowdhury, to shed light on a deeply sensitive but critical topic: the manifestations of abuse within Muslim communities, with a particular focus on spiritual abuse.

At Unity Family Services, we recognise that faith can be a profound source of healing and support—but when misused, it can also become a tool for control and harm. This event courageously explored how spiritual authority and religious language can sometimes be weaponised in abusive dynamics, and what our communities can do to identify, prevent, and respond to such behaviour.

The discussion offered not only insightful analysis but also practical strategies—from fostering awareness to creating safe reporting spaces, and ensuring that religious guidance remains a force for good, not harm. Shaykh Amer Jamil brought deep legal and theological context, while Dr Rahmanara Chowdhury shared her expertise on the psychological and social impact of abuse, making the conversation both grounded and empathetic.

Participant engagement reflected how needed this conversation is, and how ready our community is to address these challenges head-on—with honesty, accountability, and compassion.

For those who were unable to attend live, short clips will soon be available on our social media platforms. We encourage everyone—leaders, professionals, and community members alike—to watch and reflect on how we can collectively safeguard the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of our spaces.