I reported my family to the authorities because they control me and prevent me from practicing Islam properly
Salaam everyone. My whole life, I grew up with my family and thought things were normal. But as I got older, I started realizing how messed up it really was. They would punish me, scream, threaten me-psychologically and physically. I reached out to an anonymous helpline and shared my story, then gave my full identity, which meant the authorities had to step in by law. We’re all born Muslim, but they get angry when I try to follow Islam the right way. My mom doesn’t wear hijab or pray unless it’s Ramadan or someone passed away. My dad doesn’t practice at all-drinks, smokes, abuses us, you name it. It’s so confusing: my mom wanted me to go for Umrah, so she made me get a job at a supermarket where I had to handle pork, alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets. I sat at the register. I never wanted to work there, but I wanted to go for Umrah. When I asked her if the job was haram, she blew up and yelled at me. She got my older brother involved-he’s not practicing either-and he threatened to punch me if I kept asking about whether music or the job is haram. I’ve been asking questions like this since I was young, trying to get closer to Islam, especially before Umrah. When I finally went, I just felt guilty. I didn’t even know how to pray properly. My mom had me work a haram job, and part of me thinks she did it for show, because months before she asked if we should just go to Dubai again. Every time I bring it up, she says I’m overreacting. They’ve hit me, choked me, smashed my phone, left bruises-but they deny it all. I’d had enough, so I called a helpline. They got the local government involved. During a meeting, my family called me 20 times. I picked up while a government worker was listening, and my brother was demanding I come home right away. They heard how threatening and controlling he was. I had already quit that job, and my parents were furious. They told me I’d be disowned if I quit, that I had to keep working no matter what. After that call, I couldn’t go back home. The government got the police involved; they questioned me and then went to my family’s house. I got a flood of messages and calls. I was told to ignore them, and I felt terrible because cutting family ties is a big sin in Islam. I told the authorities everything. My parents once yelled at me for staying too long at the masjid. I never felt safe practicing my faith around them, so I used to pray Fajr at night when everyone was asleep. Now I’m staying with a friend-they’re not Muslim, but I feel more cared for and closer to them than my own Muslim family. I feel guilty for cutting ties, but they even disconnected my SIM card so I couldn’t contact anyone, hoping I’d come crawling back. I’m torn-I feel like I’m doing something wrong, but also like I’m not. They don’t want me to practice Islam as it should be practiced. They get upset that I avoid music and dancing and idle talk, while all they do is gossip, listen to music, compare me to others, and bring up things they know I hate.