Dependability

FACE was started in Ramadan of 2017 to help address abuse at the hands of religious and community leaders. Since 2018 we have handled approximately 45 case calls and complaints and 20 of those were in just the first 3 months of 2019! We have 15 open cases at present and no sign of slowing down. 

This work is not only critical and groundbreaking, it is incredibly difficult. We are understandably often met with skepticism, fear and outright hostility. Our team knew this would be hard and that it would take time for our community to build a relationship of trust with us and our approach. 

We want our community to know that we are here to help, not harm. It is because we are Muslims who love our religion and our community that we seek to help effectively deal with this issue. That is why we have developed a team of professionals with a combined expertise in a variety of advanced fields of study to tackle aspects of this nuanced challenge. If you haven't done so yet visit our website and learn more about the experts we have brought together to work on this issue. 

Over the past two years our team of professionals have developed a specialized discipline focusing on understanding the dynamics of power and abuse while fine-tuning an approach to investigating allegations. Using this discipline we can responsibly notify the community of abusive leaders in an effort to hold them accountable and protect vulnerable people from future abuses.

Accountability

It’s already common practice in almost every industry across the western world to have ethical guidelines when it comes to how those who are in positions of responsibility should behave with those whom they are responsible for. As Muslims we should be at the forefront of these conversations, but unfortunately we’re not quite there yet.

The Prophetic legacy that we hold very dearly is filled with teachings around ethical conduct, protecting the weak among us and holding each other and ourselves accountable. It’s with these lofty values in mind that we try to do our work.

For our community, here in America and Canada, to continue to grow it is essential that we develop a healthy level of transparency and accountability between our leaders and the community at large.

Sometimes that means working behind the scenes to help equip people with the tools and resources they need to cope with their experiences and challenges. At other times that means doing the uncertain and often painful work of exposing abuse and warning our community about perpetrators so they can avoid the harm in their midst.

Sunshine

Most people think of this topic as one of gloom and doom. There is no denying the horrors and trauma abuse can cause, especially for victims. But there is always the hope of sunshine even in the darkest of times. FACE wants people to reflect on the hope of renewal and warmth that a ray of sunshine can bring. It can bring visibility, comfort, and a chance to come out from the darkness. It can also serve as a cleansing tool to disinfect with. As Supreme Court Justice Brandeis famously said, 

How You Can Help

If we are to have a hope of dealing with this massive undertaking we have to grow significantly within the next six months to meet and stay on top of the demand. The minimum amount we hope to raise this Ramadan is $30,000 to help expand our capacity and ability to respond to complaints in a more robust and timely way. Through the donation of funds, setting up an employee matching gift for us, or even making introductions to donors and grant funders, would be a game-changing boost for our projects and operations. Help us meet our goal this Ramadan by offering your charitable contributions and encouraging others to give as well.

*We can only accept contributions from individuals, ethical corporations, and organizations solely dedicated to philanthropic activities.