In honor of Ramadan, we are spotlighting our community partner: Muslimahs Against Abuse Center
We interviewed Founder and Executive Director Rahma Rashid to learn more about their community efforts. Rahma is one of fifteen from a Somali immigrant family who traveled to America after the civil war broke out in 1998. She recently received her bachelor's degree from Central Washington University’s School of Education with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Teaching English as a second language.
How does Muslimahs Against Abuse Center serve the community?
Muslimahs Against Abuse Center (MAAC) serves the community by providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed support to Muslim and immigrant survivors of domestic violence. We offer crisis intervention, legal advocacy, mental health resources, and empowerment programs tailored to the needs of East African and Muslim women in the Greater Puget Sound area. Our work extends beyond direct services; we also engage in community education, prevention workshops, and advocacy efforts to break cycles of abuse and create lasting change.
What influenced you to start this organization?
MAAC was founded out of necessity and lived experience. I am a survivor of domestic violence who faced significant barriers in accessing support that was culturally and linguistically relevant. Not finding spaces that truly understood the experiences of Black Muslim women, I was driven to create the change I wished existed. From developing programs for teens and mothers to building a safe space for survivors, MAAC was born from a deep commitment to ensuring that no woman has to suffer in silence or without support.
What are you most proud of that the organization has done?
We are most proud of the tangible impact we have made in the lives of survivors and families in our community.
In 2024 alone, we:
- Provided $112,000 in direct assistance to clients, covering urgent needs such as eviction prevention, rental assistance, hotel stays, and relocation costs.
- Distributed $56,000 to families impacted by gun violence, helping them navigate both financial and emotional challenges.
- Secured 15 housing vouchers for survivors, some of whom had been waiting for over a decade for stable housing.
- Supported more than 500 families with essential household items, including diapers, ensuring that basic needs were met during times of crisis.
Beyond direct services, MAAC has been a pillar of education, awareness, and prevention. In 2024, our staff hosted over 50 workshops, organized 10 community events, and successfully launched our first-ever Substance Prevention Program.
Despite facing funding uncertainties, external pressures, and organizational challenges, MAAC’s community remained resilient. Our team and supporters worked tirelessly to maintain safe spaces and provide critical services to those who needed them most. The strength and unity of our community continue to drive our mission forward, ensuring that survivors are never alone in their journey toward healing and empowerment.
The connection between Ramadan and domestic violence—why do more women seek assistance during this time?
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, and family gatherings, but for many survivors, it also becomes a moment of painful realization. Many of our domestic violence survivors finally decide to leave their abusive households during this month. They hope that Ramadan—a time of increased faith, prayer, and self-restraint—might bring change, yet when their abuser continues the cycle of violence even in this sacred time, it solidifies the reality that the abuse will not stop. This realization pushes many to seek help, often for the first time.
Additionally, the communal aspect of Ramadan plays a role. With increased attendance at mosques, iftar gatherings, and women’s religious programs, survivors find more opportunities to connect with trusted community members, advocates, or organizations like MAAC. This makes it easier for them to discreetly seek support, gain information about their rights, and start planning their exit. At MAAC, we ensure that our support services are fully available during Ramadan, recognizing the surge in need. We provide safe spaces for survivors to reach out, access emergency resources, and begin their journey toward healing and independence. Ramadan should be a time of peace and spiritual growth, and we are here to help women reclaim that for themselves.
What does it mean to your organization to have financial support from businesses like Delta Dental of Washington? How does it affect how you show up for community?
Financial support from organizations like Delta Dental of Washington is vital in sustaining and expanding our services. It allows us to continue offering free, accessible programs, emergency assistance, and long-term support to survivors. This funding strengthens our ability to show up for our community, ensuring that no woman is turned away due to a lack of resources. It also helps us invest in prevention and education, working towards a future where every woman feels safe, supported, and empowered.
We are currently raising funding for our Uplift Families in Critical Need Fleeing Domestic Violence campaign. Contributions to the campaign means we can sustain and grow our programs and services to meet the needs of our community. More importantly, we can close any gaps in programming and resource provision that we previously were able to provide, as these families are in critical need.
As a not-for-profit dental benefits company, Delta Dental of Washington knows that to accomplish our mission and reach our vision we need to ensure equitable resources and opportunities for all. Access to healthy food is an important part of maintaining good oral health. Experiencing homelessness or the risk of eviction is a significant barrier to being able to prioritize seeking dental care. Partnering with organizations like MAAC helps us better understand and support the needs of all our members and protect their opportunity to have a healthy mouth.
