You know as well as we do that honest, compassionate, culturally-sensitive reproductive health information in our community has been sorely lacking. We have received so many requests throughout the years for sexual health education for the Muslim community. We have taken these requests very seriously and did not want to approach this topic lightly. By the grace of Allah, we have been able to find a resource, educator and friendship in the wonderful Sameera Qureshi, founder of Sexual Health for Muslims. We are so excited to bring her expertise to you.
Sameera will lead this free series consisting of 3 online sessions, one each month, spanning the entire summer. The program is curated for people that identify as Muslim. We hope that you’ll register, tell your friends and neighbors and encourage conversations about the content within your networks. We hope to cultivate further understanding of our bodies, spirituality and how these intersect to create spiritual, physical and emotional wellness.
This program is being done in partnership with the Planned Parenthood’s Muslim Organizing Program and Sexual Health for Muslims.
Steps to Participation:
- Read the session content, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and organizations putting together this series before you register. Contact us if you have any additional questions
- Register for the Summer Series using the respective links below. Note: you must register one by one, so bookmark this page or sign up for our email list to be reminded when registration for future sessions is available.
- Share with your Muslim friends and family members.
- Join in on the sessions as they happen throughout the summer.
Content by Session
Exploring Islamic Perspectives of Sexual Health
Thursday June 24, 6-8pm EST
This workshop will provide foundational information for the summer webinar series, focusing on understanding what sexual health means for Muslims, across their lifespan. Participants will learn decolonized, authentic perspectives about our sexual health, rooted in Islamic spirituality; explore issues that many Muslims face with their sexual health; and finally, approaches to enhance empowerment with our bodies, rooted in how God created us as sacred and spiritual beings.
Reproductive Health: From Puberty Onwards
Thursday July 22, 6 – 8pm EST
Building off the first webinar, we’ll dive into understanding holistic and accurate information about our reproductive health. Participants will learn about their reproductive system, menstruation, and fertility; explore birth control, contraception, and abortion from sexual health and Islamic perspectives; and spend time exploring common myths about our bodies, and the sacred responsibility taking care of them as Muslims, across our whole lives.
Note: This was previous titled “from Menstruation to Menopause” but the title was altered to reflect all experiences. The content for this session has not changed.
Healthy Relationships, Intimacy, and Sex
Thursday, August 26, 6 – 8pm EST
This final webinar will explore what sexual health for Muslims means in the context of relationships. We’ll explore the differences between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships, both with regards to seeking a spouse, marriage, and divorce; understand common issues Muslims face with regards to interpersonal violence, and Islamic understandings of community obligations towards intervening and preventing harm; and finally, explore holistic approaches to heal from trauma, rooted in our faith tradition.
Registration Link: Not Yet Available
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will this be for women only?
A: No, this series is open to anyone that identifies as Muslim
Q: What does sex have anything to do with spirituality?
A: Everything! As Muslims we believe that God created us as sacred and spiritual beings. Taking care of our bodies through physical wellbeing, sexual, mental and emotional health are all forms of worship. This is an opportunity to learn decolonized, authentic perspectives about our sexual health, rooted in Islamic spirituality; explore issues that many Muslims face with their sexual health; and finally, approaches to enhance empowerment with our bodies.
Q: Why is there not a special accommodation for men or women in the workshop?
A: None of the topics discussed are for men only or women only. All of the information is important for all to understand and be aware of.
Q: How old do I have to be to participate?
A: Anyone 16 and older is welcome to join in.
Q: How do I register for the entire series?
A: Currently, we are opening registration for each session separately. There will be a limit of the number of people that can register for each session so please do not register if you cannot attend.
Q: Do I have to attend every session?
A: No, you can just attend the sessions that interest you. However, attending all of the sessions will be beneficial for getting a more thorough experience
Q: Will the sessions be available to watch later?
A: This course is designed for live interaction and engagement. We cannot promise that this course will be available to folks that did not register. If you want to get the information, please register and attend live.
Q: I have an accessibility need!
A: We want to accomodate you, please email Lela at lela@muslimwomenfor.org
Q: I don’t live in North Carolina, can I still register?
A: This offering is available to the entire South. If you live in another state but are interested, please contact Lela to see if we can accommodate you, lela@muslimwomenfor.org.
Q: I would like to talk to Sameera about a personal issue related to sexual health.
A: You can connect with Sameera through a consultation on her website. As this is a service Sameera provides, you will have to pay for this service. https://sexualhealthformuslims.com/chat-sexual-health
Q: I need additional resources for my reproductive health needs, can you help with this?
A: This program is being conducted in partnership with Planned Parenthood, you can find information on the nearest PP clinic, the services in your area, including telehealth visits here: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-atlantic/for-patients/services
Q: I need additional resources for my mental health needs, can you help with this?
A: The Islamic Center of Raleigh (IAR) Health team has free consultations for mental health support. Please contact them here: https://raleighmasjid.org/health (We can connect you with more mental health resources, just contact us!)
Q: I’m interested in reproductive justice as an issue area and I want to connect more with the work Muslim Women For is doing in this area!
A: Certainly! Currently, there is the Muslim Organizing Project, which we are doing in partnership with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-votes-south-atlantic/programs/muslim-organizing-program
Additionally, Muslim Women For has a separate emailing list for volunteers interested in reproductive justice: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/reproductive-justice
About Sameera and ‘Sexual Health for Muslims’
Sameera Qureshi, MS OTR, is an Occupational Therapist and Sexual Health Educator, who has spent the last twelve years of career working with Muslim communities across Canada and the US. Her work has specifically focused on sexual and mental health education for Muslims across the lifespan. Last year, Sameera transitioned from working in non-profit spaces and founded Sexual Health for Muslims: A comprehensive, online sexual health education platform for Muslims, rooted in Islamic spirituality and psychology. Her work dives deep into understanding the current struggles and issues that Muslims face with their sexual health, and uses compassionate, holistic perspectives to support folks with their sexual health journey. Check out Sameera’s work on Instagram @sexualheathformuslims or visit her website to learn more: www.sexualhealthformuslims.com
About Muslim Women For
Muslim Women For is a grassroots organization of diverse women leaders whose mission is to embody and be an effective voice of the Qur’anic ideals of human dignity, egalitarianism, compassion, and social justice. They are dedicated to working together to create transformative change by organizing locally and building power through direct service, community organizing, advocacy, spiritual resistance and holistic wellness.
About Planned Parenthood’s Muslim Organizing Project
The Muslim Organizing Program (MOP) is an effort of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic to center the sexual and reproductive rights and access for Muslim Americans across our affiliate through education, organizing and advocacy, healing and wellness, and cross-community coalition building. We know that institutionalized systems of oppression like white supremacy, patriarchy, and anti-Muslim bigotry disproportionately impact Muslims and their access to care. Our Muslim Organizing Program will work to provide Muslim Americans with the advocacy, tools, and resources they need to access safe and affordable reproductive care and make informed decisions about their bodies, without fear or shame. Read more about the Muslim Organizing Program and sign up to get involved on their website.
About Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) is a nonprofit health care provider offering a wide range of affordable and reliable reproductive and sexual health care services in our 14 locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. You can find more information about the services, both medical and educational, that Planned Parenthood provides on their website.