Sacred (body:mind:space)
Sacred (body:mind:space) is an unaffiliated Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to
community-based research. Our focus is on researching all forms of abuse in Scottish Muslim
communities in collaboration with established partners. We are driven by centring the lived experiences
and voices of the Muslim community - the heart of Sacred’s work is community empowerment. We work
towards creating a safe and authentic space for survivors¹ as well as the Muslim community at large.
Mahrukh Adnan-Shaukat
She is a senior researcher and brings a wealth of experience to the team from her years of
experience at a women’s support organisation. She has worked on improving the levels of
understanding around equalities in relation to gender, race, and religion, using feedback
from minoritised communities to pilot and design programs in schools and training for
organisations on holistic inclusive practice. She has experience developing research on
a range of topics in collaboration with community members ensuring their protection and
support. She holds a BA in International Relations, a certificate in counselling skills and six
years of helpline experience.
Imam Farooq Mulla
He has worked as an Imam in the USA, London and Lincolnshire as a Chaplain for over
twenty years in various prisons in the UK, including ten years at HMP Whatton, a sessional
Muslim Chaplain at Rampton High Secure Hospital, and as an interpreter with the criminal
justice system.
Dr Rahmanara Chowdhury
She is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Nottingham
Trent University. She has an undergraduate degree in Ergonomics, masters in Psychology
and completed her PhD at Brunel University London, funded by the ESRC. Her research
interests include domestic violence and abuse, spiritual abuse, forensic mental health,
intersectionality, and holistic well-being. She often engages at the grassroots with
organisations and communities alike, in relation to sensitive issues relating to different
forms of abuse and the intersection of psychology with faith in informing holistic healing.
Alongside her academic publications, Rahmanara has published several books on domestic
abuse in Muslim communities.
Maariyah Adam
She is the Founder and Managing Director of Sacred (body:mind:space). She has a
background in research and development and has been working and volunteering in
community organisations for over twenty years. She holds a BA in Social Sciences, MA in
Islamic Studies, MSc in Public Policy, and is currently a Doctoral Researcher at The University
of Chester. Her research interest is in understanding the role of Islamic-based texts in the
perpetuation of spiritual abuse in Muslim communities in the UK.
The researchers
The researchers
1 Throughout this report we refer to survivors as those who have experienced abuse. However, within this we acknowledge that not
all survivors have had the opportunity or space in which they have been able to pursue adequate support or recourse to justice.