About
The Hold On campaign focuses on raising awareness about the pressing issue of suicide within the Muslim community. Despite the prevalence of mental health struggles, there is often a stigma surrounding the topic, which leads to insufficient intervention and support. This campaign seeks to break the silence, provide essential resources, and encourage an open dialogue on suicide prevention.
Origins
The idea for Hold On was first proposed by Zimarina Sarwar, a long-standing Islam21c author and contributor, who approached the team in May 2024 with concerns about the silence and stigma surrounding suicide in the Muslim community.
She called for the issue to be addressed openly and urgently, and for greater collaboration between scholars, community leaders, mental health professionals, and suicide prevention services. Her initial proposal became the starting point for the campaign that followed.
Purpose
The campaign aims to understand the needs of individuals struggling with suicidal ideation, their families, and the wider community, while offering spiritual and emotional support rooted in Islamic principles.
Its main goal is to provide accessible support and clear guidance on suicide prevention within the Muslim community through a combination of education, spiritual encouragement, and practical mental health resources, while highlighting how religious, communal, and medical assistance can work together to prevent suicide.
This is part of Islam21c, a non-profit media platform producing insightful content and impactful campaigns that empower the Ummah.