Muslim Culture

An Introduction and Historical Perspective

Kristie Brimhall

History

• Followers of the Islam religion are known as Muslims.• Islam started in the 7th century in the Middle East (Islam, n.d.)• Muslims were originally most prevalent in Asia, Africa, the Middle East,

and Eastern Europe (Ibrahim & Dykeman, 2011)• Several Changes in the world have brought a large number of Muslims

to North America and Western Europe, and they are increasing in number, especially in the United States (Ibrahim & Dykeman, 2011).

• It is estimated that 2-10 million Muslims currently reside in the U.S. (Phelps, 2010)

• Several different types of Muslims in the U.S. (Ibrahim & Dykeman, 2011)

Kristie Brimhall

“Muslim Culture”

• Broad term that refers to many diverse Muslim cultural groups (Muslim culture, n.d.)

• There are some commonalities accepted by all Muslims (Muslim culture, n.d.).

• Muslim culture is seen as a way of life rather than a religion (Muslim culture, n.d.).

Kristie Brimhall

“Muslim Culture”

• Prayer • Pets and cleanliness• Role of Imam• Islamic calendar and Celebrations• Wearing the Hijab• Politeness/Respect• Social Contact(Muslim culture, n.d.)

Kristie Brimhall

References

• Ibrahim, F.A. & Dykerman, C. (Fall 2011). Counseling Muslim Americans: cultural and spiritual assessments. Journal of Counseling & Development. 89(4), 387-396. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libproxy.dixie.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=57b0e4c1-1315-478c-a20d-493846ad71de%40sessionmgr4005&hid=4207

• Patheos Library. (n.d.). Islam. Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/library/Islam.html

• Phelps, S. (Nov 2010). Critical literacy: using nonfiction to learn about Islam. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 54(3), 190-198. doi: 10.1598/JAAL.54.3.4

• Sharon Pluralism Network, Inc. (n.d.). Muslim culture. Retrieved from http://sharonpluralism.org/culturalprotocols/muslim-culture/

Kristie Brimhall

Responses to Pain

• Muslims believe that pain has a positive influence on their soul and by bearing pain they can be forgiven of their sins (Broeckaert & Branden, 2010).

• Because of their religious beliefs many Muslim patients may be resistant to taking any kind of narcotics or medications that have forbidden substances like alcohol, gelatin, or other animal products.

• Islamic law will allow exceptions to the rule if no other medication is available and if taking it is necessary to save the patient’s life.

Religious Influences

• Islam – Followers of Islam are called Muslims. This religion has 5 main pillars that are considered mandatory to the followers and they make up the foundation of this religion. They are Faith, Prayer, Alms-giving, Fasting, and Pilgrimage to Mecca. So if a person does not follow these teachings they are not true Muslims.

• Qur'an – Muslims consider this text to be revelation from God. It is their sacred book and through it they learn about doctrine, social organization, and legislation.

Special Rituals

• Prayers- Muslims are required to pray at lease five times per day. These times are dawn, noon, mid afternoon, sunset and at night. They are also encouraged to pray more often if they are able. When praying they use a combination of physical actions, verbal sayings, and what they feel in their hearts.

• Fasting- During the lunar cycle month of Ramadam, Muslims are required to refrain from having all kinds of food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. They do this because it is a way to cleanse the soul of all worldly desires and devout oneself completely to the obedience of God.

• Pilgrimage- It is expected of every Muslim to travel to the holy city of Makkah at least once in their lives to perform the rites of pilgrimage.

• Purification- Before doing certain rituals and especially praying, Muslims are supposed to wash their hands, face, arms and feet with water.

• Animal Sacrifice- Muslims believe that God has given them the right to kill animals and eat them. When Muslims kill an animal they are required to mention God at the moment the animal is killed. By doing this it reminds them that God is the one who gave them the animal and the right to kill it.

References

• Broeckaert, B. & Branden, S. V. (2010). Necessary Interventions: Muslim Views on Pain and Symptom, Control in English Sunni e-Fatwas. ETICHAL PERSPECTIVE, `17(4), 626-651

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Language

•Muslims speak many different languages•Muslims pray and read Qur’an in Arabic

•Belief that Arabic words have holy power

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Communication•Non-verbal communication

•beckoning “come here” is offensive•give personal space•head is sacred - do not touch

•mostly Malays•rubbing head is sign of love and respect

•Middle Eastern Muslims •Interpretation Services/Handshakes

•Men for men•Women for women (or male if male relative is present

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Family Roles

•Strong Family Ties•Children live at home until married•The man is the head of the family•The woman’s role as mother is regarded of highest importance

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Parenting Styles

•Mothers sleep with their children when they are young•Children accompany their parents in all experiences, travels, etcetera•Training begins very young

•accountable to God•for roles as parents•Muslim culture

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Family in the Community

•Muslims respect one another•there is no superiority •No judgment

•Modest in apperance•Accept differences

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References •Culture and Religion Information Sheet Islam. 2012. Government of Western Australia. Retrieved from http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/resources/publications/cr_diversity/islam.pdf

•Islamic World. Family Life. Retrieved from http://islamic-world.net/parenting/parenting_page/family_life.htm

•Pennington, R. (2009). Muslim Voices. Retrieved from http://muslimvoices.org/arabic-language/

•The Islamic Bulletin. Islam Belief and Practices. Retrieved from http://www.islamicbulletin.org/newsletters/issue_24/beliefs.aspx

Kayla McDonald

Muslim Culture: Dietary Practices

• Muslims view the human body as a gift from God, to show respect and gratitude for their bodies they abide by certain dietary principles and restrictions aimed at keeping the body in an optimal state of health.

• Substances that are considered to be harmful to the intelligence or intoxicant to the body are considered to be unlawful, forbidden, or haram.

– This includes alcohol and alcohol-based medications, like cough syrup.

• The blood of dead animals, pork products (bacon, ham, lard), as well as pork derivatives such as gelatin and insulin are considered to be haram foods.

• Many Muslims will refuse to eat meat that is bloody or slightly cooked, consume hospital gelatin, or take gelatin-encapsulated medications unless the gelatin has been confirmed to be derived from a lawful or halal source.

– However, If there are no halal alternatives, Islam does allow Muslims to consume medications with pork-derived gelatin (Wehbe-Alamah, 2008).

Kayla McDonald

Muslim Culture: Dietary Practices

• Muslims only eat meat slaughtered and prepared by the People of the Book such as Jewish and Christians, some Muslims will only consume halal meats that are prepared according to the Muslim law.

• The concept of halal involves the recitation of a prayer to God (Allah) while slaughtering an animal to commemorate that the animal is a blessed creature of God that is being killed for human sustenance.

• During the holy month of Ramadan, healthy practicing Muslims all around the world engage in the fasting process. This practice involves abstaining from food, water, medications, sexual activity and smoking from the break of dawn through sunset.

– Muslim women who are pregnant or breastfeeding during that month are excused but are not forbidden from fasting. Sick individuals are also exempt from fasting. Any missed fasting days are usually made up at a later date. 

– Muslims who have diabetes and other individuals who need daily medications require adjustments to their medical regimen during the month of Ramadan (Wehbe-Alamah, 2008).

Muslim Culture:Social Customs

• Modesty is an important concern and value for the majority of Muslims. This is particularly true for Muslim women. The traditional dress for conservative practicing Muslim women involves the use of loose clothing that covers the entire body with the exception of the hands and face and does not reveal its shape or curvatures. Long skirts, lengthy sleeves and head coverings are typically used. However, diverse cultures have different ethnic displays of what is considered to be an acceptable mode of dress.

– It is important to note, however, that not all Muslim women adhere strictly to the Islamic dress code.

• Regardless of which form of dress a conservative Muslim woman uses, there is an strong need among them to maintain privacy and modesty.

• Many Muslim women request to be draped as much as possible during medical or nursing procedures to safeguard their dignity. Caps are often asked for to cover the hair in instances were traditional Muslim head coverings are not allowed (Wehbe-Alamah, 2008).

Kayla McDonald

Kayla McDonald

Muslim Culture:Social Customs

• Muslim men and women are prohibited from being alone in private except with their spouses, children, parents, uncles, aunts, father-in-law or mother-in-law. Many Muslim patients will request to have a chaperone or a family member stay with them during procedures involving a healthcare provider of the opposite sex.

• Muslim men and women are discouraged from looking directly into each other's eyes for prolonged periods of time. The holy book of Islam, the Qur'an, directs Muslims of both genders to lower their gaze.

• Muslims believe that food and drink should be consumed with the right hand which is reserved for doing clean things. The left hand is often reserved to performing unclean tasks such as cleaning the private area after bathroom use (Wehbe-Alamah, 2008).

Kayla McDonald

References

• Wehbe-Alamah, H. (2008). Bridging generic and professional care practices for muslim patients through use of leininger's culture care modes. Contemporary Nurse : A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 28(1), 83-97. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203169368?accountid=27045

Nursing Impact on the Muslim Patient

Responsibility of a NurseAdvocateCulturally competentEducateManage carePromote dignity and well beingAdminister Care

Considerations to patient care

• Communication needs

• Spiritual needs

• Coping behaviors

• Privacy concerns

• Health related behaviors

• Family involvement

Cultural Competence

• A nurses impact on a patient can be directly related to the degree in which the nurses is culturally competent.

• Attitude-Self assessment

• Addressing cultural issues and considerations to promote health

• Inclusion of family in patient assessment process

• Beliefs, practices and health related values

Impact on Patient

• Depends entirely on the sensitivity shown to a patient’s uniqueness and dignity in which a patient is treated

• Unintentional violations of customs, rituals or deeply held beliefs prevent establishment of relationships and trust

• Need to understand that Muslim belief can not be separated from the person.

• A family centered approach is required, not just patient centered

References

Andrews, M. M., Boyle J. S. (2012). Transcultural Concepts in Nursing care (6th ed.)) Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health|Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Black, B. P. (2014). Professional Nursing Concepts & Challenges (7th ed.). St. Louis, MS: Saunders.

Hammoud, M. M., White, C. B., & Fetters, M. D. (2005). Opening cultural doors: Providing culturally sensitive healthcare to Arab American and American Muslim patients. American Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 193(4), 1307. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2005.02.065

Teaching Outline for Muslims Patient with Hypertension

• What is Hypertension?

- Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.- Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as your

heart pumps blood through your body. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure ,and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure.

- Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80mmHg most of the time.

- High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90mmHg or above most of the time.

- If your blood pressure numbers are 120/80or higher, but below 140/90, it is called pre-hypertension

Risk Factors and Prevention

Risk Factors: • Obesity or being overweight• Diabetes• Sedentary lifestyle• Lack of physical activity• High levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity)• Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption• Vitamin D deficiency• High levels of alcohol consumption• Stress• Aging• Medicines such as birth control pills• Genetics and a family history of hypertension• Chronic kidney disease• Adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors

Prevention:• Exercise regularly• Quit smoking• Limit sodium intake• Reduce stress• Stay at a healthy body weight• Check blood pressure values regularly

Treatments and Complications

• The most common treatment for hypertension is medication. There are many different types of medications for hypertension.

• Make sure to take your medications as prescribed, and do not skip doses. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not double up on doses.

It is important to control your blood pressure. Complications of high blood pressure include:

• Chronic Kidney Disease• Heart attack and heart failure• Stroke• Vision problems

Special Considerations

• During Ramadan, fasting may be allowed, especially if your blood pressure is well-controlled.

- your doctor may work with you to change your medication schedule so that you can take your medications outside of the fasting times.

• If necessary, Dietary restrictions should still be able to follow Halal guidelines.

References:

• http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthyramadan/Pages/faqs.aspx