"I Feel More Comfortable Asking Questions": How We Worked with Mosques to Talk with Muslim Women About Reproductive Health

In this article, we’ll explore: I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health and why it matters today.

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Imagine walking into a room filled with the scent of cardamom tea and the gentle hum of conversation. For many, the local mosque is a place of spiritual solace and community gathering. But for a long time, there was one topic that rarely made it past the threshold: reproductive health. It was a subject often wrapped in layers of “shame” or “modesty,” leaving many women to navigate complex health issues in silence.

We knew we had to change that. We realized that if we wanted to improve health outcomes, we couldn’t just wait for people to come to a clinic. We had to go to the heart of the community. This is the story of how we built bridges, broke taboos, and why one woman’s feedback—”I feel more comfortable asking questions”—became the ultimate measure of our success.

The Elephant in the Room: Breaking the Silence

Reproductive health is a broad spectrum. It covers everything from menstruation and contraception to pregnancy, menopause, and cervical screenings. Yet, in many Muslim communities, these topics are often considered “private” or “sensitive.” This isn’t necessarily because of the religion itself—Islamic tradition actually has a rich history of discussing these matters—but rather due to cultural norms and a lack of safe spaces.

When we first started this project, we heard from women who felt embarrassed to ask their male GPs about periods. We met mothers who didn’t know how to talk to their daughters about puberty because they were never told themselves. The silence wasn’t just a social preference; it was a health risk. When people are too shy to ask questions, they miss screenings, they ignore symptoms, and they rely on “Aunty-whispers” instead of medical facts.

Why the Mosque?

You might wonder, why choose a place of worship for a health talk? The answer is simple: trust. In many neighborhoods, the mosque isn’t just a building; it’s the most trusted institution in the community. It’s where people go for advice, for education, and for support. By bringing health professionals into the mosque, we weren’t just providing information; we were giving that information a “stamp of approval” from a place the women already trusted.

The Strategy: How We Made It Work

Working with mosques required more than just booking a room. It required a deep understanding of cultural nuances and a lot of tea-drinking. We didn’t want to show up as “outside experts” telling people what to do. We wanted to be partners.

1. Finding the Right Champions

Our first step was connecting with the mosque leadership and, more importantly, the women’s committees. We looked for “community champions”—influential women within the mosque who were already trusted by their peers. These champions helped us frame the conversation in a way that felt respectful and relevant.

2. Combining Faith and Science

One of the biggest breakthroughs was involving female scholars (Alimahs) alongside medical doctors. When a doctor explains the importance of a smear test, it’s medical advice. When a female scholar explains that taking care of one’s body is a religious duty (an “Amanah”), it becomes a holistic priority. This combination helped remove the “guilt” or “shame” some women felt when discussing their bodies.

3. Creating a “Women-Only” Safe Space

Privacy was non-negotiable. We ensured that the sessions were held in areas where the women felt entirely secure. We didn’t use clinical jargon or scary posters. We sat in circles, often on the floor or around tables, making the environment feel more like a coffee morning than a lecture. This shift in atmosphere was key to the sentiment: “I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health.”

Real Stories: From Shyness to Empowerment

Let me tell you about a woman we’ll call Amina. Amina had been experiencing heavy, painful periods for years. She thought it was just her “lot in life” and felt it was inappropriate to discuss such things. During one of our sessions at a local mosque in East London, we had a doctor explain the symptoms of fibroids and endometriosis.

Amina sat at the back, quiet at first. But as the session went on and she saw other women—women she’d prayed next to for years—asking questions, she raised her hand. She asked about her symptoms in a way she never felt she could at a busy GP surgery. By the end of the session, she had a plan to see her doctor and the vocabulary to explain her pain. That is the power of a safe space.

Another example involved a group of older women discussing menopause. Many had been suffering from hot flashes and mood swings in silence, thinking it was just “getting old.” When we brought in a specialist to talk about HRT and lifestyle changes, the room erupted. They weren’t just learning; they were supporting each other. They realized they weren’t alone.

Overcoming the Challenges

It wasn’t always easy. We faced skepticism from some who felt these topics shouldn’t be discussed in a sacred space. We had to be patient. We explained that the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions discussed health and hygiene openly. We showed that by ignoring these issues, we were failing the women in our community.

Language Barriers: We made sure to have translators or bilingual doctors who could speak Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, or Somali.
Misinformation: We had to gently debunk myths about contraception and screenings that had been circulating for generations.
Timing: We scheduled sessions around prayer times and school runs to make it as easy as possible for women to attend.

The Result: A New Culture of Conversation

The feedback we received was overwhelming. The most common phrase we heard was some variation of: “I didn’t know I was allowed to ask that.” By bringing the conversation into the mosque, we gave women permission to prioritize their health.

We saw an uptick in women booking cervical screenings. We saw more women asking for help with postnatal depression. But most importantly, we saw a shift in confidence. The phrase “I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health” isn’t just a project title; it’s a reflection of a community finding its voice.

Key Takeaways for Community Health Projects

Trust is the foundation: Don’t try to change a community from the outside. Work with the institutions they already love.
Representation matters: Women want to talk to women, especially those who understand their cultural and religious background.
Normalize the “Taboo”: The more we talk about these issues, the less “shameful” they become.
Make it accessible: Go to them. Don’t expect them to always come to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it appropriate to talk about reproductive health in a mosque?

Absolutely. Islamic tradition encourages seeking knowledge about health and the body. Many mosques are community hubs that provide education on various life aspects, and health is a vital part of that.

What topics are usually covered in these sessions?

We cover a wide range, including menstrual health, contraception, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and cancer screenings (like smear tests and mammograms).

Do men get involved in these conversations?

While the sessions for women are strictly “women-only” to ensure comfort and privacy, we also run separate sessions for men or imams. It’s important for the men in the community to understand these health issues so they can support their wives, daughters, and mothers.

How can other organizations start similar programs?

Start by listening. Reach out to mosque leaders and women’s groups. Ask them what their concerns are. Build a relationship first, and the health programs will follow naturally.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

Our work is far from over. There are still many mosques to visit and many women who are still navigating their health journeys in silence. However, the blueprint is there. We’ve seen that when you combine cultural respect with medical expertise, magic happens.

When a woman feels empowered to ask a question about her own body, she isn’t just helping herself; she’s changing the narrative for her daughters and granddaughters. We are proud to be part of that change, one cup of tea and one honest conversation at a time.

Because at the end of the day, everyone deserves to feel comfortable asking the questions that matter most to their health.

Written with love and assistance and refined for quality.

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