Screenshot from the video "Mutual Consultation" on the MarriageSuccess.ca website

03
October

2014

Muslim Marriage Made Eas(ier) with Canadian Website

Written by Amira Elghawaby

Published in In Focus

“People spend a lot of time [planning for] the wedding; what kind of dress, what kind of food, what kind of decorations and so forth, but you know, life really begins after marriage,” explained Jawad Jafry, director of the film series Marriage Success aimed at providing Muslim Canadians with a much needed resource to cope with the challenges and opportunities that marriage brings. Co-produced by Toronto-based Imam Hamid Slimi, the films can be found on the innovative marriagesuccess.ca website.

In an interview last year on the Canadian Islamic program Let the Qur’an Speak, Jafry said there was a need to bring Islamic knowledge and contemporary knowledge about marital relations together, which is what Marriage Success hopes to achieve.

“Muslims are facing challenges as anybody else,” he said in the interview. “But perhaps there isn’t material that combines the wisdom of Islamic source texts and Islamic scholarship along with social work professionalism and wisdom. So strategies from both sides are combined,” he explained.

Sponsored by Canadian Muslim charities The Faith of Life Network and Baitul Maal, Marriage Success includes six films that are ideal for those thinking about marriage, and have yet to tie the knot, and another four films for those who have already made the commitment. Each film lasts an average of eight minutes. Topics for those thinking about marriage include everything from discussing finances, to relationships with in-laws, to domestic violence awareness. Topics for those who are married include Mutual Consultation, Listening and Bonding, and Effective Communication.

The educational films are professionally produced and include explanations from Canadian Muslim experts in family counselling and social work. Several religious scholars also appear in the films to explain the Islamic principles at play. Dramatic scenes are embedded in the narrative, depicting a variety of scenarios involving a diverse cast. Viewers will also find links to related resources and detailed film notes.

This is a welcome and necessary resource for the Muslim Canadian community, and, if utilized, could help save families much stress and heartache.

To learn more visit the Marriage Success website, Facebook Page, or YouTube Channel.

This article was produced exclusively for Muslim Link and should not be copied without prior permission from the site. For permission, please write to info@muslimlink.ca.

Amira Elghawaby

Amira Elghawaby is Muslim Link’s Editorial Advisor. She is providing professional guidance and training to the Muslim Link team and writers. Amira is also developing relevant newspaper and website policies and a style guide. Amira obtained a degree in Journalism and Law from Carleton University in 2001. Since then, she has worked as both a full-time and freelance journalist and editor, writing and producing stories for a variety of media including the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, CBC-Radio, Rabble and the Middle East Times. She is the History Editor for New Canadian Media. Find her on Twitter @AmiraElghawaby.