Imams of mosques in North America spend the majority of their time counseling community members, but counseling in this context is generally undefined. Many imams do not have the opportunity for proper training in counselling, and are often left unsupervised and unsupported in this work, making them, and their congregants, vulnerable to ethical violations and spiritual harm.
What is hurma?
Hurma (حرمة) is an Islamic legal term signifying the divinely-granted right of protection of the human person from abuse, assault, and exploitation.
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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.
