Empowering Communities: UMNT’s impactful initiatives

In the vast expanse of Australia’s Northern Territory, the United Muslims of the Northern Territory (UMNT) has been tirelessly working to strengthen their community through a series of innovative and impactful initiatives.

From promoting gender equality and addressing domestic violence to nurturing the potential of the youth, UMNT’s endeavours are leaving a lasting mark on society.

One of their key endeavours are the fortnightly ‘ilm circles for families.’ ‘Ilm,’ an Arabic word meaning knowledge, symbolises the essence of these circles. Gathering families together, these circles serve as a platform for intellectual growth, spiritual enrichment, and community bonding.

Participants engage in deep discussions, learning from one another and sharing valuable insights. Ilm circle is an initiative of the ‘Nissa’ project, meaning ‘Women’ in Arabic.’

The ‘Safe, Respected, and Free from Violence Prevention Grants’ serve as a backbone for this projects. This allows UMNT to tackle pressing issues like domestic, family, and sexual violence.

By challenging social and cultural attitudes that underpin violence, UMNT strives to create safer and more respectful communities.

This project takes a bold step towards addressing domestic violence and promoting gender equality within the community.

The multilingual media campaign (linked below) accompanying the project acts as a powerful tool in raising awareness about domestic violence and the benefits of engaging in the community.

The ilm circles are designed to engage the whole family, with brotherhood, sisterhood, youth (Al-shabab), children (Atfal) sessions.

Firstly, recognising the potential and importance of youth, UMNT hosts ‘Al-shabab,’ or youth sessions as part of this program, aimed at addressing relevant issues impacting young people.

These sessions combine a thoughtful blend of addressing societal challenges such as bullying, seeking professional help, support for young people, mental and physical health issues while also focusing on personal development.

Secondly, for women, UMNT organises sessions that emphasise leadership skills and empowerment. By tackling subjects like domestic violence, these sessions encourage women to become advocates for change within their families and society.

Learning from the experiences of women in leadership positions provides inspiring role models, demonstrating that women can excel in all spheres of life.

The men’s sessions complement the efforts for gender equality by focusing on character building. By addressing issues related to domestic violence and emphasizing the importance of responsibility, UMNT encourages men to take an active role in fostering a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

UMNT’s commitment to inclusivity and community building extends beyond their local areas. The organization travels to other regions of the Northern Territory, including Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine.

Their annual visit to Katherine for the Katherine Multicultural Festival is a testament to their dedication to promoting cultural understanding and celebrating diversity.

The UMNT’s initiatives are making a significant impact on the community and beyond- from empowering women and youth to challenging harmful attitudes and fostering unity in their community.

By creating safe, respected, and inclusive spaces, UMNT is paving the way for a brighter and more harmonious future in the Northern Territory.