Barakah Lab

The Barakah Lab is a research space dedicated to cultivating intellectual curiosity and methodological rigor in the study of Muslim mental health.

We envision a world where Muslim mental health is understood and studied through psychological frameworks that honor the spiritual, cultural, and systemic dimensions of well-being.

Guided by the concept of barakah—Divine blessing and abundance—we explore how Muslim individuals and communities navigate identity, trauma, belonging, and well-being.

Current Research Projects

  • Belonging in the Mosque

    In collaboration with The Family and Youth Institute, our team is disseminating critical mixed method data on the experiences of belonging in mosques in the United States.

  • Sexuality and Socialization

    A Barakah Lab original, this study explores the sexual self-concept of Muslims in the United States, and its relationship to closeness to God, the centrality of Muslim identity, and belonging.

  • Subjective Socioeconomic Status

    In collaboration with Dr. Waleed Sami, this project explores the psychological consequences of perceived versus actual class position among Muslims in the United States.

  • Intimate Partner Violence

    In collaboration with Dr. Bunmi Oyewuwo, the Barakah Lab is providing statistical analysis support to explore the impact of attitudes towards intimate partner violence and religiosity in the relationship between intimate partner violence experiences and mental health outcomes among Muslims in the Unites States.

Click Here for Recommended Barakah Lab Readings

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Click Here for Recommended Barakah Lab Readings 〰️

Our Team

  • Minha Ghani - Lab Manager & Researcher

    Minha Ghani is a mixed-methods qualitative researcher with a background in psychology and experience across both nonprofit and industry settings. Her research interests lie in Muslim mental health, particularly around identity, belonging, and community-based research. She has co-authored papers exploring topics such as religious belonging and substance use among Muslim American emerging adults.

  • Maliha Khan - Researcher

    Mali Khan has a background in public health and global health. Her research interests lie in patient access and health outcomes, environmental health, mental health, and the role social justice and health equity play across these fields. She has experience in conducting qualitative research and has co-authored papers on maternal and child nutrition, diabetes quality, and health equity for women with breast and endometrial cancer.

  • Rameen Razzaq - Researcher

    Rameen is a graduate from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Public Health, focusing on social and behavioral health. Her experience includes peer education and research exploring experiences of college-aged populations on health and wellness outcomes, as well as work in Social Security disability programming. Rameen is interested in how social identities can shape well-being.