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Continuing our series on how religion and culture can impact on practice, journalist Aim Waheed looks at Islam.
One of the fastest growing religions in the UK, Islam is also one of the most misunderstood. The community has increasingly found itself under deeper scrutiny, and some clients may feel a barrier between themselves and access to healthcare as a result.
However, an understanding of the basic principles of the Islamic faith can help build an understanding between practitioners and clients to ensure best practice.
The Muslim community encompasses a wide range of ethnicities and cultures. Hence the cultural traditions of Muslims of African origin will be very different to a Pakistani Muslim which in turn will be different from the experiences and attitudes of British Muslims. Also, various levels of observance exist among Muslims.
However, what unites these diverse cultures are five core principles, known as the five pillars of Islam which are central to every Muslim's beliefs. These consist of Shahadah - the sincere declaration of faith, Salat - the ritual of praying five times a day, Zakat - giving money to charity, Sawm - fasting during Ramadan, and Hajj - a once in a lifetime pilgrimage.
The word Islam means submission and obedience to Allah's will. The holy book of Islam is called the Quran. While health is considered a gift from Allah, health problems are perceived as Allah's will, so Muslims are encouraged to accept their condition with dignity. However, Muslims are encouraged to be proactive in seeking help, rather than waiting for divine intervention. So taking care of their health is considered their duty. Awareness of the Muslim faith can enable practitioners to encourage better healthcare choices.
'We all need to be respectful of our client's beliefs and practices and where possible to try and accommodate these when trying to personalise care,' says Professor Aziz Sheikh, author of Caring for Muslim patients. 'It is important to try and share insights about beliefs, cultures and practices that UK health professionals might be unfamiliar with.'
THE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Salat
The ritual of praying five times a day
Hajj
Once in a lifetime pilgrimage
Shahadah
The sincere declaration of faith
Zakat
Giving money to charity
Sawm
Fasting during Ramadan
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