Help may soon be just a phone call away for Muslim women in distress.

1-888-315-NISA, the first toll-free anonymous phone counseling service for Canadian Muslimahs, is being launched this month by Mercy Mission, a non-profit Islamic organization.

The helpline, a project of Mercy Mission's Women's Resource Centre, is designed to answer questions and provide references and advice to Muslim women across the country seeking support, guidance or even a listening ear.

Nestled between the fruit markets and video stores on a busy street in St-Laurent, many may pass by the modest bureau of the Amal Center for Women without a second glance. An inconspicuous sign at the front door leads the way up a flight of stairs to the center's office, where Muslim women from different parts of the city come together to bring hope to those that need it most.

A local organization is looking for champions from the Muslim community to lead the fight against domestic violence.

Following the successful launch of their educational campaign against domestic abuse, organizers of the Neighbours, Friends and Family Muslim Project, are seeking 30 “champions” who will get the community actively involved in combating violence against women.

The launch event ”“ held on Nov. 24 to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women ”“ was attended by over a hundred people. Organisers say the event underscored the need for a community response for violence against women.

A London, Ontario group hopes lessons learned from a project aimed at Chicago street gangs can be applied to curb family violence.

The Family Honour Project was unveiled on Jan. 24 by the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration as part of its mission to eradicate domestic violence.

The project was developed in partnership with the renowned CeaseFire group that has been working with Chicago street gangs for 11 years to prevent violence before it occurs.

More than 30 North American imams signed a religious edict on Feb. 4 condemning honour killings, domestic violence and misogyny as "un-Islamic.”

Thirty-four imams belonging to the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, including a handful of American members, say the fatwa aims to clarify any possible confusion over the teachings of the Quran.

While it has no legal teeth, the fatwa is "morally binding" for all Muslims, said Syed Soharwardy, a Calgary-based imam who founded the council.

Domestic violence is expected to be the core subject of Friday prayer sermons in mosques and Islamic centres across Ottawa on Dec 9.

Prominent Muslim   organizations, Imams, community leaders and activists from all over the country have added their collective voice to the fight against domestic violence.

Muslim Link was given the opportunity to interview Sister Shawana Shah, who answered a few questions about the Neighbours, Friends and Family Muslim Project, a campaign that is rapidly gaining support, both on Facebook and throughout the Ottawa community.

What is the NFF project and how does it work exactly?