Muslim Women’s Religious Leadership and Community Responses to Intimate Partner Violence In African Immigrant Communities

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse by a current or former partner, is a pervasive public health and human rights issue affecting individuals and families across the globe. In the United States, African immigrant women face complex, intersecting barriers when seeking support for IPV. These include cultural stigma, fears around community reputation, language differences, immigration-related vulnerabilities, and a lack of trust in formal service systems. Within Muslim communities specifically, these challenges are compounded by gendered religious structures that mediate whose authority is recognized and valued. While religious leaders often serve as trusted first points of contact for survivors, the significant roles of Muslim female religious authorities and the institutional and personal dynamics that influence their engagement with IPV remain underexplored. This study is part of a broader research initiative examining how faith-based organizations and religious leaders support African immigrant survivors of IPV, with this current study focusing on the experiences and leadership of Muslim religious women.

Methods: This study reframes the inquiry by centering Muslim women’s religious leadership and examining both the barriers to and opportunities within their participation in addressing IPV. Drawing on an ongoing qualitative cross-sectional study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Muslim female religious leaders and community stakeholders serving African immigrant communities, the research employs thematic analysis to explore: (1) how Muslim female religious authorities understand and negotiate their leadership roles in relation to IPV, (2) the institutional constraints and enabling factors that shape their authority within religious spaces, (3) the forms of religious education, counseling, and informal support they provide to survivors, and (4) their perceived needs for training, resources, and collaboration with formal service systems. Preliminary analysis includes interviews with Muslim female religious leaders and community stakeholders, representing diverse roles within African immigrant communities in the U.S.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate that Muslim female religious leaders occupy a unique position of trust and moral authority within their communities but often face institutional barriers to full participation in formal religious decision-making. Many leaders described using religious education and informal counseling to support IPV survivors, emphasizing confidentiality, spiritual guidance, and culturally grounded approaches. However, they also reported challenges such as navigating patriarchal norms, limited access to resources, and the need for more formal training on trauma-informed care and legal protections. Notably, some leaders have successfully built informal networks of support with other women leaders and social service providers, demonstrating adaptive strategies to bridge gaps in formal systems.

Implications: Guided by frameworks of inclusive justice and community empowerment, this study highlights the critical but under-recognized role of Muslim female religious leaders in shaping community responses to IPV. Findings underscore the need to strengthen institutional support, provide targeted training and resources, and foster cross-sector collaborations that recognize the expertise and unique positioning of these leaders. By highlighting both the contributions and challenges faced by Muslim female religious authorities, this study advances scholarship on religion, gender, and violence, and offers actionable recommendations for developing culturally responsive, community-engaged interventions within African immigrant Muslim populations.