Greenford sisters set up charity to help Muslim mothers

This week it was nominated in the Barclays Ealing Gazette Let's Do It awards for helping deprived families and individuals across west London.

Its main focus is providing a safe haven for women in violent relationships. They have joined up with Harrow Mosque to reach more isolated victims while quashing cultural and religious myths around domestic violence.

Faiza, 39, said: "There is an issue of domestic violence, I think, not just in Islamic groups but in every culture. We're getting involved with Harrow Mosque to help mediate it.

"A lot of women in Islam feel it's not right to leave an abusive relationship. We need to make them know that in Islam that sort of behaviour is not all right, it's not acceptable in our religion."

The Greenford-based sisters, who collectively have more than 20 years' experience in childcare, set up the service when they noticed many families from ethnic backgrounds did not know where to look for basic advice.

They hope to provide a 'one-stop shop' for deprived families to find answers to a range of queries, from housing and benefits to parenting workshops.

The charity has recently found a home at Jubilee Children's Centre, in Felix Road, West Ealing.

Eldest sister and director, Munaza, 40, explained: "I've worked in Queen's Park, a white, middle class area. It was the first time I saw in Asian groups and families there was a big gap in parenting skills and accessing services.

"I felt it and wanted to make a difference, to make them independent and confident."

As a very young charity, they are applying for funding from big lenders, including the Big Lottery Fund to get the service up and running.

The £1,000 prize money would pay for children's toys and books, and leafleting costs to help promote their cause.

For more information email unitedummah@hotmail.co.uk.