This episode is the first of two episodes that uncovers Uzma’s story of how she was abused by a renowned spiritual leader. With the help of a trained counsellor Ramzia Akbari, specialising in sexual abuse and cults, we’ll explore how we can protect our loved ones from this happening to them, and experience a live ‘counselling’ session where we unpack the trauma that happened to Uzma. Ramzia is a senior counsellor qualified in Therapeutic counselling and works with a faith and culturally sensitive, Islamic counselling model. This topic is triggering.
WARNING: this is an explicit episode with adult themes and language. Please put your earphones on and listen to this in private. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as a medical or mental health advice to treat yourself or others, please consult your own physician for any diagnosis.
Powered by RedCircle
Shownotes below
Download
[podcast_subscribe id=”1647″][sharethis-inline-buttons]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on these podcasts are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Not Another Mum Pod’s management or of any sponsors. Any content provided by our contributors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, identity (gender or sexual) club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
The intention behind this candid conversation is to bring to light the serious issues that nobody openly talks about. The question to ask ourselves is what exactly is sexual and spiritual abuse?
For the sake of anonymity and to avoid unintended slander, no names or locations have been mentioned. Our guest’s name is also an alias. Please note, we’ve kept this conversation as authentic as possible.
There’ve been a lot of cases where members of our community have been affected by abuse, we will cover various aspects of this with expert commentators over several episodes.
Unfortunately, Tasneem will not be able to join us for this session. Instead, we will have an expert guest Ramzia Akbari, and an anonymous sister ‘Uzma’ who shares her harrowing story.
Ramzia Akbari is a senior counsellor qualified in Therapeutic counselling and works with a faith and culturally sensitive, Islamic counselling model. She currently works with the refugee, migrant and asylum seekers in North West London providing counselling in Farsi/Dari and English. She is also qualified in Post Cult Counselling and has experience working with Anxiety, Depression, relational trauma, child sexual abuse, domestic abuse, psychopathic and narcissistic abuse, spiritual abuse and has a special interest in radicalisation. She is a member of the BACP and abides by the BACP ethical guideline.
#YouAreNotAlone
Today’s episode kickstarts the first part of our series on abuse; in particular sexual abuse and in this case, defining it from spiritual abuse.
Abuse in all its form is not a new phenomenon – now with social media spreading news faster and people being more aware of it generally, it is now recognised as a growing problem. Although spiritual abuse covers vast ground such as misuse of charity funds, a family member using religion to manipulate and control other’s rights.
Sister Uzma will share how a renowned, spiritual figure of authority in the Muslim community took advantage of her.
With the help of a trained counsellor specialising in spiritual and sexual abuse and cults, we explore why this particular case is classed as sexual abuse (and not spiritual abuse) and how we can protect our loved ones from this happening to them.
Discussion points:
- Who this figure of community was, ie what he has achieved, how people treated him
- Some context of your life, childhood, family dynamics, personality Was there any control dynamic in the family à familiar system/ ripe for abuse…? Vulnerabilities?Covert Narcissistic, past history and patterns, Influence tec – authority, social proof (because x, y supports this person, he must be a good person)
- How it began
Indebtedness – Rule of reciprocity? Time, money, attention, favours, unconditional acceptance. Difficult life events? Use of Authority
- Describe the first time, feelings, your level of understanding, how you coped – powerlessness, confusion, isolation, ashamed, alarmed, excited, awe-struck
- How his relationship evolved with you, what was he like in front of others> Covert behaviour, hot-cold, push-pull creating dependency (trauma bonding)
- Did he use religion, or elements of Islam to justify his actions? His emotional abuse towards you, your parents
- Why you remained quiet, if you felt indebted to him ? Commitment and Consistency (we like to look consistent through our words, beliefs, actions etc), instilling of phobias (can’t make it without me, shunned, ashamed?) Pseudo-identity?
- When did you speak up?
- Who was he? The big reveal…
How does spiritual abuse differe from sexual abuse?
Ramzia’s professional response:
The coercion and control of one individual by another in a spiritual context. The victim experience spiritual abuse as a deeply emotional personal attack.
Can take place in:
- Personal and intimate relationships such as husband-wife, friends. (One of one cults)
- Immediate/extended family
- In the wider community
- At state level – ISIL/Taliban
There is always a dynamic of power that is created without which the abuse will not be as successful.
This is done by many different methods.
- Manipulation/exploitation
- Forced confessions
- Secrecy and silence
- Pressure to conform
- Misuse of sacred text for control of behaviour
- The abuser has “divine” position (through mystical manipulation)
- Isolation from others on 3 folds.
What can you do as a parent to protect our children?
As parents what can we do to help make it less likely that our children do not fall prey to such situations:
- Relationships – Open, safe, validated à trustà antidote to isolation. Esp at a difficult time when they are vulnerable.
- Critical thinking – do not kill children’s curiosity, allow them to question and reflect à strengthens their thinking muscle. Helps when this is attempted to shut down
- Correct stance for authority, exercise autonomy
- Education – boundaries – taking correct responsibility for own action and feelings and allowing/holding others to do the same, toxic behaviours, private-secret (look the same, feel different, enhances/undermines, boundaries, walls, stress-free/stressful, shame, fear/human need, control/controlling)
Can you identify an abuser or do we have to rely on a child’s behaviour to tell us that something is going on, especially when it is towards a particular person?
In terms of grooming, if someone is being groomed, how can we help them recognise that they are being abused?
Influence
- Rule of Reciprocity – creating a feeling of indebt-ness by any means. [Take favours but be prepared to see through them as well as possible manipulation. Contracts??]
- Commitment and Consistency – more likely to go through with something once we commit [listen to your intuition, gut feeling. Also able to make decision to your interest at every moment- knowing what I know now, would I make the same commitment]
- Social Proof – if others comply and agree, then it must be ok. (public speech, seminars) others may model to induce this victim. [is the evidence reliable. Shouldn’t base our decision making solely on other people’s opinions]
- Liking – we like ppl who are like us, say the right things. We say yes to those we know and like. [separate between the person and their request]
- Authority – obedience to authority is ingrained in us from the way we are brought up and especially if we trust that person. [is the person really an expert, are they really truthful]
- Scarcity – value opportunity that are less available. “limited number/opportunity” [ step back and evaluate instead of acting from emotions]
For more information about where you can get help, please visit:
UK:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/report/
https://www.mwnhelpline.co.uk/
https://thehideout.org.uk/young-people/what-can-i-do/helplines/
https://www.myh.org.uk/helpline
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/sexual-abuse/
US and Canada:
https://therapyformuslims.com/hotlines/
https://www.muslimsthrive.org/get-help
International helplines:
https://www.childhelplineinternational.org/child-helplines/child-helpline-network/
Oh سبحان الله this is such a difficult topic for me personally to listen in on. My heart goes out to sister Uzma, ما شاء الله so so brave of her to go back to such horrific memories for the benefit of others💗. My understanding is that the mere recollection of a traumatic experience can be just as painful for the victim as it was when they were actually experiencing the trauma so I can only imagine how hard this must’ve been for her. 😔
I will never forget the first time I was made aware of such a thing as sexual abuse… I was totally traumatised and this was just my reaction to listening to someone else’s trauma!!! I was so naive up until then even though I was in my late teens…. my world turned upside down… literally overnight my world view changed. I remember being so traumatised to the point I lost my appetite for some time?! 😔 YAllāh I can’t imagine what it must be like for an innocent child to have to actually endure such trauma…it’s an absolute crime against humanity!
It’s so frightening to think our children could fall prey to these monsters. As parents we worry about which of our child could be more susceptible to this? Will they know they can come to is??😞 I guess all we can do is try to reiterate the importance of autonomy like sister Ramzia mentioned, particularly bodily autonomy. Have those candid conversations… not just once but regularly. Let them know that no topic is off limits etc… we will always support and protect them.
It’s so sad that some ‘children’ feel they need to stay silent inorder to protect their loved ones.😢 The thought that a child can take on such a burden is heartbreaking.
I was so relieved to hear this person was no longer able to harm anyone else. Their crimes were shortlived الحمد لله. Who knows who else he harmed in his lifetime. 😔
جزاك اللهُ خيرًا
To both ladies and you Nafisa Rahimi once again for sensitively shedding light on such an important topic. Eagerly awaiting part two! Xxx
Thank you so much Umm Musa, your feedback is so valuable to Uzma and Ramzia, to know that people listened with a view to learn no matter how hard it is to hear. May Allah reward your efforts, ameen.
Even for us, we were shocked to realise that it is not always enought to have the pants talk to our children. What is going on in our lives, it all has an impact. That children should never feel that they need to protect the parents or be in such a vulnerable position. May Allah protect us all, ameen.
All our love and duas,
Nafisa & Tasneem, xx
hello!,I love your writing very a lot! proportion we keep up
a correspondence more about your article on AOL? I need an expert in this house to resolve my problem.
Maybe that is you! Looking forward to see you.
area 52 delta 8 THC products – area 52 delta 8 THC products
area 52 delta 8 THC products – delta 8 THC for sale area 52
area 52 delta 8 THC products – delta 8 area 52
buy delta 8 THC area 52 – delta 8 area 52
delta 8 area 52 – buy delta 8 THC area 52
Your style is so unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this site.
Area 52 Delta 8 THC – Area 52 Delta 8 THC
Area 52 Delta 8 THC – delta 8 THC for sale area 52
buy delta 8 THC area 52 – Area 52 Delta 8 THC
delta 8 area 52 – Area 52 delta 8 carts
buy delta 8 THC area 52 – delta 8 THC for sale area 52
I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!
Great article, just what I needed.
Excellent website. Plenty of helpful information here.
I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing
in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your
sweat!
I blog quite often and I truly thank you for your information. The
article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark
your site and keep checking for new information about
once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.