Two Cents is a new space on Amaliah where we share your short reflections, critique and reactions from social media and emails you’ve sent us.

This week we share opinions of the recent changes to Nikah, that M&S hijab, and Mental Health in the community amongst other things!

You can send your thoughts to contribute@amaliah.com or tweet and comment on any of our social channels! To find out if your comment will be featured check Two cents every Wednesday on Amaliah.

1. A response to the new law counting Nikah as a legal marriage – From Hajera 

“I feel like the need to over-explain on this topic is unnecessary. The new law counting Nikah as a legal marriage in the UK is simply wonderful. It provides a security for the ridiculously high percentage of Muslim women who are in marriages that are not registered legally. Furthermore, for those that feel the need to wed their sons overseas and bring over to the UK someone who knows little of the culture, is usually educated to a minimum and will therefore be easily discarded when/if it suits the family (yes, this does happen) – They will think twice. As will those partaking in polygamy.

Perhaps for some, it will help them to view marriage as something more serious in life rather than be treated with the lightness it is these days. As far as the process of marriage and divorce in Muslim communities in the UK is concerned – it can only be helpful. (Some will be quick to disregard ”…abide by the law of the land in which you live..” to serve their own interests) But I struggle to see what could be damaging in this. Ultimately, two individuals deciding to get married are doing so because they have decided to spend their lives with each other, to raise a family – I don’t think anyone truly goes into a marriage with the hopes it will fail, or to try and make it fail, if anything, efforts of both parties involved are to achieve the complete opposite. It is high time marriage was treated with its deserved seriousness and invested in. This law will enable this.

Having said that, it will also be a Godsend for those that are trapped or feel trapped and helpless in abusive or dysfunctional marriages by eradicating the lengthy and sometimes unfair treatment of Muslim women who apply for divorce via the Muslim council. Often times they are not treated seriously. As a bonus it will also help remove some inappropriate cultural influences that bleed into peoples variations of divorce in Islam.

One rule for all.”

2. A response to the article “Why we are in desperate need of Muslim Therapists in mainstream institutions.” – From Julia Path 

“I can’t agree with this enough, I had a really hefty discussion with one of my students about this topic the other day. We agreed that seeing a therapist – holistic or otherwise is seen as a privilege or something non poc do. We was having a brainstorming session on how to firstly promote a fair pricing structure or a charitable aspect to our treatments so a range of people can access services – we both feel it’s important because we come from a background which never saw the importance of wellbeing because it was out of our reach. It’s not a battle I can fight on my own though.”

3. A response to “The Fat Ummah – Are We Killing Our Spirituality With Obesity?” – From Riz Sona

“Muslims are more concerned about halal rather than what they should be eating. Increasing intake of whole plant foods and minimising processed foods and animal products is known to play a significant role in stabilising and normalising weight and health outcomes. But. When I say this to Muslims they tell me “but these foods are halal, Allah would have prohibited these foods if they caused harm”  so I am done with trying to penetrate Muslim thinking. Unless something is overtly haram, people simply don’t care.”

4. In response to Episode 5, Amaliah Voices podcast: Immigrant Parent trauma discussed – by @rubydaraj

“This is a very difficult topic to discuss. I know a lot of people whose parents migrated from other countries that fully appreciate what their parents have done and sacrificed. There are two sides of coin, a lot of the trauma actually gets passed down to next generation.

Yes we are of self love but even our brothers and sisters today are deeply struggling with this due to the hereditary trauma.”@rubydaraj