Outcast Women

A sobbing woman comes to a hospital in northern India. She begs the doctor to perform an operation that will make it impossible for her to get pregnant again. Already mother to three daughters, the woman is terrified – if her husband knew of her hospital visit, he would kill her. “Every night my husband comes home drunk and beats all of us because he wants a son. I have failed my duty as a woman, but I will not risk bringing another girl into such misery.”

India is a country familiar with poverty, oppression, and ignorance. Society condones such varied indignities as prostitution, child-wives, and sacred cows. Why should the Christians give special attention to the plight of Muslim women? 

The answer is: because the need is desperate, and mostly ignored. 

According to government reports, Muslim women are categorized as the most vulnerable, uneducated, and impoverished minority in India--a minority of 69 million women, most of whom are under age 25.

Indian courts have ruled that Sharia law holds precedence for Muslims over Indian civil law in family and marital matters. This means Muslim women are trapped in a system that requires they ask their father, brother, or husband’s permission if they so much as want to step outside the door.  If they disobey their male relatives, or are found wanting or disrespectful in any way, they may be abandoned or divorced on a moment's notice. Within their Islamic communities, the only way these women earn respect or affection is by bearing children…male children. Often times they will abort their pre-born child if they discover they are carrying a girl. 

As it is in India, so it is in the Middle East, Bangladesh...and much of the Islamic world. Citing the teachings of Muhammed in the Qur'an and Hadith, Muslim leaders sanction polygamy, male-initiated divorce, and physical abuse. Journalists report Muslim women in Pakistan are treated like cattle; missionarie report those women have never known love.

Our task is clear - to reach out to these women. 

We ask you to come alongside Smyrna as we aid national Christians, in India and throughout the Islamic world, who are reaching out to their Muslim neighbors - reaching out not only with physical resources, but also with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Give to Outcast Women now to open a pathway of protection, education, and hope for a destitute Muslim girl or woman.