A mark of shame, a stain on a person's good reputation, second rate citizens, good for nothings, faulty goods. Are these terms associated with disability in our community? SARVAT JABEEN KHAN reports...

In many North West towns that boast more religious buildings than most of Europe we as a community are guilty of prejudice and judgement.

It seems that in our culture disability equals punishment from God.

The lack of understanding, education, ignorance, are all issues that are paramount in this whirlwind of emotions.

Who exactly are the family protecting, themselves or the person who is dealing with their condition every minute of every day? Who was responsible for this twisted concept given that Islam stands for peace, tranquillity, understanding and tolerance?

As well as physical disability, mental health is a maze of imaginative theories in its own right. Schizophrenia and epilepsy are two conditions that are taboo subjects. Lack of knowledge and understanding bring about the diagnosis of a 'person possessed'. The family will seek guidance and solace from a 'Peer' (religious teacher), whilst fiercely guarding their 'shameful' secret.

Those ladies suffering with post-natal depression have a tirade of theories to explain their state of mind. Take your pick from the following; She sat under a tree or walked through a dark alley at sunset. If she has given birth to a son; those who have had a daughter have cast the evil eye.

The patient is encouraged to sit surrounded by burning incense sticks to ward off the evil spirit!

The disabled Asian has to deal with not being accepted in the wider community and not feeling part of the disabled group. That must be hard to deal with, going through life feeling you do not fit in is a test in itself.

Islam could not put more emphasis on everyone being equal but in this instance we adopt cultural beliefs, which contradict everything we have been taught.

A disabled female of marriageable age will be hidden away as the family accept that no one will take her as a wife. But parading her for all to see may well jeopardise the chance of her sisters taking a husband. Although this belief system is not one that is deliberate it is the sad reality of our culture.

We offer our sisters and brothers as doctors and solicitors, teachers and nurses. Why then can we not open our minds to be enlightened to the reality of those issues that make us uncomfortable?

Surely in 2004 the gulf between lack of understanding, embarrassment and knowledge and acceptance is not too far away?

We as a community need to look at our own perception with regard to mental health and disability. These people have not been punished by God (if anything they are lucky as in times of strife we all turn to the Almighty!). It is merely their test as you have yours in the form of an unhappy marriage, poverty, a child's sickness etc.

They did not choose to be this way so why do we then persecute them. Who are we to judge?

People waiting, anticipating, ready to help, surround us you only have to ask. Don't get me wrong, our culture is a funny one to get your head round but why not start to open up and trust?

Shakil Salam is a Community Development Officer, based at Bangor St Health Centre, Blackburn. He said, "The community is not aware of the services available. The services that are available are not tailored to meet the community's requirements."

"There is a lot of ignorance concerning disability but I feel things are changing."

In Islam it is believed that a disabled person gains heaven through the mercy of God. Through the struggles of living in this world with the pain and problems of being disabled the person is forgiven for his/her sins based on the "pain" that is inflicted upon that person in this life.

I would never be so brash as to undermine the power of prayer and our Islamic scholars but Islam clearly states Din Aur Duniya (Belief and World). In mental health we let the Tavees (talisman) take precedence over Western medicine.

Life is hard enough at the best of times. Stop that tongue from wagging you know it's the sure fire way of sharing Satan's company.

Rise above the culture of the dark ages where we saw those who were not fully able as lesser mortals and let them continue in their struggle, striving to gain a degree of dignity in making it through their test to the best of their ability.

My mother always says talee aak hath say nee bajtee (You can't clap with just one hand). There seems to be a lack of understanding from the services whilst the community have little trust and knowledge of services available.

Maybe it's time to bridge the gap and help each other!