Spiritual empowerment: A conceptual model of mindfulness-based healing for Muslim mothers.
The American journal of orthopsychiatry July 28, 2025 DOI: 10.1037/ort0000871
Summary
Muslim mothers in Western nations face significant challenges, including social isolation and cultural stigma. A pilot program involving 30 participants demonstrated that spiritually integrated mindfulness support groups can effectively reduce stress and enhance community bonds. By blending Islamic concepts with mindfulness practices, such as muraqaba and dhikr, the program fostered a sense of spiritual empowerment and cultural preservation. Participants reported improved well-being and collective healing, creating a supportive environment that resonates with the idea of a "homeplace" as a site of resistance.
Abstract
Muslim mothers in Western nations encounter unique challenges, including Islamophobia, cultural stigma, social isolation, and the pressures of balancing family and societal responsibilities. Spiritually integrated mindfulness support groups can serve as a vital intervention to address these challenges, alleviate stress, and foster cultural revitalization and spiritual empowerment. This article introduces a framework integrating Islamic concepts with mindfulness and its application in the Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals pilot program to reduce stress, promote collective healing, spiritual growth, and strengthen community bonds among Muslim mothers. Participants learned mindfulness core concepts, Islamic coping strategies and practical tools for integrating mindfulness into daily life. Grounded in Imam al-Ghazali's framework, the program emphasized muraqaba (Islamic mindfulness meditative exercise), dhikr (remembrance of Allah), divine awareness, tawakkul (trust and surrender in God), and mindful salah (prayer) for spiritual growth. The article suggests that mindfulness practice is uniquely conducive to creating a spiritual homeplace for Muslim mothers, resonating with bell hooks' concept of the "homeplace" as a site of resistance. Together, Muslim mothers formed a community of resistance to preserve their cultural and religious identities while fostering a deep sense of spiritual empowerment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).