Salaams everyone,
By now, you will have probably heard of the recent decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs Wade, which was a landmark ruling that protected – at least to a significant extent – access to abortion. We want to make Hidayah’s position clear and unmistakable: we support the right to choose whether to carry a pregnancy to term. This is a deeply personal decision that the government should not have any bearing over.
More than that, though – for a country founded on so-called religious freedoms in the First Amendment, overturning Roe does a disservice to all those who have a religious right to abortion. Islam permits abortion in a variety of circumstances, as do other religions that are not white evangelical Christianity. This was never truly about religion, even if the decision to overturn Roe may have been cloaked in theocratic reasoning. The reality is that this comes down to one thing and one thing only: power.
Hidayah will always stand with those facing oppression and injustice. As queer Muslims, we are an often invisible minority within a minority, and many of our service users will feel the effects of this backward decision for years to come. We want to stress that this is not solely a women’s issue or even one that affects only those with uteruses. This is an issue that affects every one of us because it sets a terrifying precedent of denying people autonomy and freedom. Even scarier, this will undoubtedly be at the cost of viable lives carrying unviable or dangerous pregnancies. Astaghfirullah.
What we fear is that this will start a ripple effect of other decisions – whether they relate to trans rights, which are already under attack, or marriage equality, which was decided by the Supreme Court, or making things worse for disabled people. This has already been alluded to by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
But fear isn’t going to help us right now. Fear prompts inaction. And as bleak as things seem right now, all is not lost. There are lots of things you can do, whether you live in the US or elsewhere.
Consider the following to stay safe, especially if you live in the US:
Mutual aid and activism:
If you need an abortion, what can you do?
We want to continue spreading awareness so people know where to go for advice and support, insha allah.
Always in solidarity,
The Hidayah Team
