A number of Muslim communities in the United States are growing alarmed at the increasing divorce rate — now as high as 31 percent in some states. This is still under the national average of 49 percent, but it is cause for great concern because divorce, while not forbidden by the Koran, is considered a last resort and is cause for great shame to Muslims. There is always fault in a Muslim divorce, and it is most often the woman who is blamed.

In addition, American Muslim leaders are concerned about the lack of resources and social services for handling this divorce trend, and by the fact that domestic abuse seems to be the principal cause for failed marriages in the Muslim community.

Muslim scholars are urging mosques to provide premarital counseling, similar to what is mandated by the Catholic Church, and to consider ways to offer social services that will help divorcees reintegrate back into the community.

In a later post, I’ll look some of the factors Muslims believe are responsible for this trend. Some of them are fascinating and have applicability to all troubled marriages.

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