Family & Personal Matters

Life can sometimes bring difficulties within marriage, family relationships or our own personal circumstances. During these times, having someone trustworthy to speak with and receiving guidance from an Islamic perspective can be valuable.

The Islamic Foundation of Drogheda (IFD) provides a welcoming first point of contact for members of our community seeking Islamic guidance and support with family or personal matters.

Our Imam is available to listen, provide appropriate Islamic guidance and, where necessary, help connect you with someone better placed to assist.

Marriage & Family Matters

You may contact the Imam for guidance regarding matters such as:

Marriage and marital difficulties
Communication between spouses
Family disagreements
Parent and child relationships
Islamic rights and responsibilities
Difficulties involving extended family
Questions concerning separation
Personal difficulties affecting your religious life
General family concerns from an Islamic perspective

Every situation is different. Some matters may be addressed through Islamic guidance and conversation, while others may require specialist scholarly, counselling, medical, legal or safeguarding support.

Mediation & Reconciliation

Islam places great importance on reconciliation, justice and good conduct between people.

Where appropriate, and where those involved are willing, the Imam may be able to assist with conversations intended to encourage understanding and reconciliation.

However, not every situation is suitable for informal mediation. Where there are concerns involving abuse, coercion, violence or safety, protecting the person at risk takes priority over attempting reconciliation.

Separation & Divorce

Questions relating to separation and Islamic divorce can involve important rights and responsibilities and may require careful consideration of the individual circumstances.

You are welcome to approach the Imam as a first point of contact.

Where a matter requires specialist knowledge or a formal Islamic ruling, IFD may refer you to an appropriately qualified scholar or Islamic organisation.

Civil and legal matters relating to separation, divorce, children, property or maintenance may also require independent professional legal advice.

When Professional Support Is Needed

Islamic and pastoral guidance can be an important source of support, but there are circumstances where professional assistance is necessary.

The Imam is not a substitute for a qualified doctor, mental health professional, family counsellor, solicitor, safeguarding professional or emergency service.

Where appropriate, we may encourage you to seek specialist help alongside any Islamic guidance you receive.

Domestic Abuse & Personal Safety

Abuse can take many forms, including physical violence, threats, coercive control, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse.

If you are experiencing abuse, you can still speak with the Imam for Islamic and pastoral support. However, situations involving abuse may require specialist professional assistance.

Women's Aid – National Freephone Helpline
1800 341 900
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
www.womensaid.ie

Drogheda Women's & Children's Refuge
041 984 4550
Freephone: 1800 929 999
24-hour local support
www.droghedarefuge.org

Men's Aid Ireland
01 554 3811
Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
www.mensaid.ie

If you are in immediate danger

Call 999 or 112 and ask for An Garda Síochána or the appropriate emergency service.

Your immediate safety and the safety of children should come first.

Children & Safeguarding

The safety and welfare of children is particularly important.

If you have reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected, concerns can be reported directly to Tusla – Child and Family Agency.

www.tusla.ie

A child or young person who needs someone to talk to can contact:

Childline
1800 66 66 66
Free and available 24 hours a day
Online chat: www.childline.ie

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.

Mental Health, Crisis & Emotional Support

Personal and family difficulties can sometimes become overwhelming.

You are welcome to seek Islamic and pastoral support from the Imam, but serious mental health difficulties, self-harm or suicidal thoughts require appropriate professional support.

Samaritans
116 123
Free, 24 hours a day

Pieta
1800 247 247
24-hour crisis support
Text HELP to 51444

Text About It
Text HELLO to 50808
Free, anonymous text support

HSE – Your Mental Health Information Line
1800 111 888

If you or another person is at immediate risk of serious harm, call 999 or 112 or attend the nearest Emergency Department.

Confidentiality & Respect

We understand that family and personal matters can be extremely sensitive.

Anyone approaching IFD will be treated with dignity, respect and appropriate discretion.

However, confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed where there are serious concerns involving abuse, safeguarding, the welfare of a child or vulnerable person, or an immediate risk of harm.

In such circumstances, it may be necessary to encourage or involve appropriate professional or statutory services.

Islamic Guidance Alongside Professional Support

Seeking professional assistance does not mean that you cannot also seek Islamic guidance.

In many situations, the two can work alongside one another.

The Imam may provide religious and pastoral guidance, listen to your concerns and help you consider your circumstances from an Islamic perspective, while qualified professionals provide the specialist assistance that may also be required.

Where a matter is beyond our knowledge or capability, we will endeavour to guide you towards someone appropriately qualified to help.

Contact the Imam

If you would like to discuss a family or personal matter, please contact:

Imam – Islamic Foundation of Drogheda
imam@masjiddrogheda.ie

For sensitive matters, you do not need to provide personal details by email. You may simply state that you would like to arrange a private conversation with the Imam.

Need Immediate Help?

If you or another person is in immediate danger, or you believe someone's life or safety is at immediate risk, call 999 or 112.

Please do not wait for a response from IFD or an appointment with the Imam before seeking emergency assistance.

Page updated

Report abuse