Trigger warning: Domestic violence

As her friend navigated a messy divorce from an abusive relationship, Zena Chaudhry realized there were gaping holes in Canadian social services when it came to Muslim women. Shelters didn’t factor in the need for linguistic support, religious spaces, modesty considerations, or suitable food. Support staff displayed shocking bias against the Muslim community. Chaudhry once asked a social worker for advice to help her family friend. “Well, isn’t this very normal in your religion?” the woman asked her. “Why did your friend decide to leave when others chose to stay?”

This highlighted the deeper issue: how trauma is compounded when race, faith, and migration are involved. Muslim women have to navigate a system that was never built with them in mind. Chaudhry understood this, and she decided to start offering services…