The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) has issued a strong statement condemning domestic violence. In an appeal published on Instagram, religious leaders emphasized that a woman should not feel fear in her own home, reports infohub.kz.
The publication was prompted by recent cases of abuse against women in the country. The main message of the statement is that raising a hand against a woman is not a manly act. SAMK reminded that a woman is the keeper of the family hearth, for someone a beloved daughter, for someone a dear mother, for someone a beloved wife. She enters a new family hoping to find protection and warmth, so a man's task is to give her care, not fear.
The appeal cites a hadith: "Our noble Prophet Muhammad said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families.' These words carry deep meaning. A man's strength is not in his fists. True strength lies in the ability to remain patient and not give in to anger, and in being a support for a loved one, not a cause of their tears."
SAMK believes that anger will subside and quarrels will be forgotten, but a hand raised in a fit of anger and harsh words can leave a deep mark on a person's heart. "The family should be a place where a person feels safest. A woman should live in her own home feeling respect, not fear. Every father and mother, who lovingly raised a daughter and send her off to a new family with great hopes, wish only one thing: that she be happy where she goes. Let us not betray that trust. Making a woman cry is unmanly. Protecting a woman is a man's duty," concluded the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan.