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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There is a specific kind of silence that happens when you bring up a topic people aren’t used to discussing in public. It’s not an awkward silence, exactly. It’s more of a cautious one—a “is it okay to talk about this here?” kind of silence.

For many Muslim women, reproductive health has historically been one of those topics. Whether it’s due to cultural modesty, a lack of representation in healthcare, or simply not having a safe space to ask “embarrassing” questions, many women have navigated their health journeys in private. But health shouldn’t be a secret. When we started our latest community initiative, we knew we had to go where the heart of the community beats: the mosque.

In this post, I want to share the story of our journey. It’s a story about building trust, breaking down barriers, and the moment a woman looked at us and said, “I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health” became the blueprint for everything we do next.

Why the Mosque? Meeting People Where They Are

When healthcare providers want to reach a community, they often hold an event at a hospital or a library. But if you really want to connect with people, you have to meet them where they already feel safe. For many Muslim women, the mosque isn’t just a place of prayer; it’s a community hub. It’s where they see their friends, where their children learn, and where they go for guidance.

By partnering with mosques, we weren’t just “delivering a service.” We were entering a space of trust. We weren’t outsiders lecturing; we were partners working within the existing fabric of the community. This approach changed the power dynamic from “doctor and patient” to “sisters in a shared space.”

The Barrier of “Shame” vs. The Reality of Health

One of the biggest hurdles we faced was the concept of ‘haya’ or modesty. In many cultures, talking about periods, smear tests (Cervical Screening), or contraception can feel like a breach of modesty. However, we found that when these topics were framed through the lens of self-care and the Islamic tradition of valuing one’s body as a gift from God, the “shame” began to evaporate.

We realized that women weren’t avoiding these topics because they didn’t care about their health. They were avoiding them because the medical world often feels cold, clinical, and culturally insensitive. By moving the conversation to the mosque, we brought warmth back into the equation.

Our Approach: How We Made It Work

You can’t just walk into a mosque with a PowerPoint presentation and expect results. It took months of preparation. Here is how we structured our program to ensure every woman felt heard and respected.

1. Building Bridges with Mosque Leadership

Before we spoke to a single woman in the congregation, we spoke with the Imams and the women’s committee leaders. We explained that our goal wasn’t to challenge religious beliefs, but to empower women to live healthier lives. Having the “green light” from trusted community leaders was essential. When the mosque leadership says, “This is important for our sisters,” it gives the community permission to engage without hesitation.

2. Creating a “Women-Only” Safe Space

Privacy was our top priority. We held sessions in the women’s prayer halls or community rooms during times when the building was quiet. We ensured that all our facilitators were women—many of whom were also Muslim and spoke the community’s native languages, such as Urdu, Bengali, or Arabic. This removed the “lost in translation” feeling that often happens at a GP surgery.

3. Using Relatable Language

We avoided heavy medical jargon. Instead of just talking about “cervical cytology,” we talked about “staying healthy for your children.” Instead of just “menopause,” we talked about “the change in our seasons.” We used stories and metaphors that resonated with the lived experiences of the women in the room.

Smear Tests: We addressed the fear of pain and the fear of being “exposed” by explaining exactly what happens in a culturally sensitive way.
Contraception: We discussed it within the context of family planning and maternal health, which is supported by many Islamic scholars.
Menopause: We opened up a space for older women to share their symptoms, often for the first time in their lives.

Real-World Example: The “Amina” Moment

I remember a woman I’ll call Amina. She attended our third session at a local mosque in East London. For the first two sessions, she sat in the back, sipping tea and listening intently but never saying a word. During our session on cervical screenings, she finally raised her hand.

She told us she had received three invitation letters for a smear test over the last five years and had thrown them all away. “I was scared,” she said. “I didn’t know if the doctor would be a man, and I didn’t know how to explain why I was nervous.”

After a 20-minute group chat where other women shared similar fears, Amina realized she wasn’t alone. One of our clinical leads, a Muslim GP, explained that she could request a female doctor and even bring a friend. Amina’s face visibly relaxed. She later told us, “I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health has changed how I look at my own body.” She booked her appointment the following week.

The Impact: More Than Just Statistics

While we tracked the number of women who went on to book screenings or consultations, the real impact was in the “soft” data—the change in atmosphere. By the end of our six-month pilot, the sessions had turned into a support network. Women were bringing their daughters and their mothers.

We saw a shift from “I can’t talk about this” to “We need to talk about this.” This is the core of why I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health is such a powerful sentiment. It signifies a move from passive healthcare recipients to active health advocates.

Key Takeaways from Our Partnership

Trust is the foundation: You cannot rush community engagement. It takes time to build a relationship with mosque leaders and congregants.
Representation matters: Having healthcare professionals who look like, speak like, and understand the culture of the women they are serving is non-negotiable.
Holistic health: Reproductive health isn’t just about biology; it’s about emotions, faith, and family. Address all of it.
Consistency is key: One-off workshops don’t work. Regular, recurring sessions build the comfort level needed for deep conversations.

Looking Forward: Scaling the Model

Our work with mosques is just the beginning. We’ve proven that when you remove the clinical “coldness” and replace it with cultural “warmth,” health outcomes improve. We are now looking to expand this model to other community spaces—Gurdwaras, Community Centres, and even local hair salons—wherever women feel at home.

The success of this project shows that there is a hunger for information. Muslim women want to be healthy, they want to understand their bodies, and they want to be part of the conversation. They just need the right invitation.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it religiously permissible to discuss these topics in a mosque?

Yes. Seeking knowledge about one’s health is highly encouraged in Islam. We worked closely with Imams to ensure our content was presented respectfully and within the framework of Islamic ethics. Many mosques view this as part of their “duty of care” to their congregation.

What if a woman is worried about her privacy in a small community?

We take confidentiality very seriously. At the start of every session, we establish “ground rules” where everyone agrees that what is said in the room stays in the room. Additionally, facilitators are available for one-on-one private chats after the group session for those who aren’t comfortable speaking in front of others.

How can other healthcare providers start a similar program?

Start by listening. Don’t go in with a set agenda. Reach out to the mosque’s women’s coordinator and ask what health topics the women are actually interested in. Build the program around their needs, not your targets. Transitioning to a mindset of “I feel more comfortable asking questions: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health” requires humility and a willingness to learn from the community.

Do these sessions only cover medical topics?

While the focus is on reproductive health, the conversations often branch out into mental health, nutrition, and general wellbeing. We believe in a holistic approach to health that recognizes how everything is connected.

Conclusion

Health equity isn’t about giving everyone the same thing; it’s about giving everyone what they need to reach the same level of health. For the Muslim women we worked with, what they needed was a bridge between their faith and their healthcare. By using the mosque as that bridge, we didn’t just share information—we built confidence.

When a woman feels empowered to ask a question, she is taking control of her life. And that is the most healthy thing of all.

Written with love and assistance and refined for quality.

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