With today marking the end of Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr tomorrow, new research led by Associate Professor Helen McLaren from the College of Education and Social Work has highlighted the challenges faced by Muslims living in non-Muslim countries.

Published in the journal Religions, with Flinders co-authors Dr Emi Patmisari and Associate Professor Michelle Jones, the paper looked at the work of Adelaide-based Muslim start-up NGO, Community Development, Education and Social Support Inc. (CDESSA) and its efforts to improve the outcomes for a South Australian multicultural Muslim community.

Existing research highlights that Muslims living in non-Muslim countries may experience marginality, which has associations with exclusion, poor socio-emotional health, higher rates of family violence, and poor quality of life. Faith-based strategies, such as CDESSA’s workshops, interventions and events, showed potential to bridge the gaps and improve the outcomes among their community.

The results of the analysis showed the growth of family and community engagement in CDESSA’s support and intervention activities, commencing with a small religious following in 2021 and growing to more than 300 Muslims regularly joining together for faith, health, welfare, and social wellbeing activities.

The authors concluded that “CDESSA has contributed to the enrichment of the community’s cultural wealth, fostering an environment where aspirations are nurtured, challenges navigated, connections strengthened, familial bonds celebrated, cultural identities respected, and resilience built.”

The paper – ‘Community Cultural Wealth among a South Australian Muslim Population: A Reflective Evaluation of Strengthening Family Health and Wellbeing’ – can be read here.