Muslim Religion- Analyzing Their Beliefs- as they relate to Health Care - Essay Example

Muslim Religion- Analyzing Their Beliefs- as they relate to Health Care Provide a brief of the religion chosen including available demographics. size of the group and area of the country/world where members reside. Literary, the word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God” (Islam). In itself the Islam religion is not named after a particular person or deity like in Christianity, Buddhism, or Confucianism (Bilal, n.d.). Islam is the second largest religion in the world and 21 % of world’s population practices it.

The estimated number of followers is over 1 billion (Islam). According to a recent report (Miller, 2009) focusing on demographic growth it shows that 1.57 billion people adhere to Islam which makes up 23% of the world population. Islam is the predominant religion in the regions covering the Middle East and Northern Africa (McLaughlin, 1986). However, large communities are also located throughout Europe – the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, China and Russia (BBC News, 2005). About 50 countries are said to consist of Muslim-majority population.

Of them 62% live in Asia – namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia. (BBC News, 2005). Only 20% of Muslims live in the Arab countries and the Middle East. From the non-Arab countries the largest Muslim-majority countries are Turkey and Egypt (BBC News, 2005). Green (2009) reports that approximately 87% - 90% of the Muslims are Sunni and the vast majority of the rest 10% - 13% are Shi’a.2.) Describe the religious beliefs of the group as they relate to health related issues such as birth, death, illness, health, treatment, etc.. Also describe any religious rituals associated with health or illness practiced by the group.

For Muslims the most important aspect of their religious observation includes cleanliness. On the seventh day after the baby was born the head has been shaved. This ritual indicates that the child now is a servant of Allah (Islam, 2010). Other important fact concerning the healthcare of the Muslims is related to their daily diet. They are forbidden to consume pork or alcohol. In Muslim dietary there is a certain proportion that has to be observed one-third should be food, one-third water and one-third air.

However, not many Muslims stick to this balance (Bilal, n.d.). Crane (2010) comments extensively the healthcare traditions in Muslims, though, she points out that there are many who do not leave in a Muslim majority country. According to Crane (2010) Muslims believe that there is a cure for every illness and besides general medicine they apply other alternative medications. Also blood transfusion and organ transplantation are acceptable, although this contradicts with the statement that there is a tradition of respect for the body in Muslims and they do not perform autopsy if there is not a compelling reason for that (Crane, 2010).

A particular religious practice in the Muslims is the circumcision. The main reason why the ritual is applied is again due to reasons related to cleanliness (Islam, 2010). It is believed that the removal of the foreskin keeps the penis cleaner and that no fatal diseases such as cancer are caused (Islam, 2010). 3.) Discuss any potential conflicts that exist as a result of differences that exist between the religious beliefs of the group and the beliefs and values of the dominant culture that exists within health care.

While I was preparing this paper I learned that prayer for Muslims is an inseparable part of their life. For a Muslim who is living in a country where Islam is not the predominant religion it would be difficult to practice praying in Health care institutions. Few Health care organizations can provide running water for the ritual cleansing before the traditional prayer. Most of the Western hospitals have chapels which are not accommodated for Muslims. Though, I believe that if asked the medical personnel will assist the patient in cleansing the patient and positioning him into the direction of Mecca.

Another considerable difference between Muslims and Western cultures is that the mothers who are breastfeeding are not burdened with responsibilities of physical work and she is encouraged to breastfeed for whole 2 years (Al-Bar, 1986). Women also are not allowed to breastfeed in public or expose their breasts in front of family members or relatives (Ali, 1992). In the Western cultures women are not ashamed or restricted to show their breasts if they breastfeed in public areas. Reference List:Al-Bar, M.

(1986, July-August). Breast-feeding and Islamic teaching. The Islamic World Medical Journal, 55-57Ali, A.Y. (1992). An English interpretation of the Holy Quran. Lahore, Pakistan: Ashraf PrintingBBC News. (2005).“Muslims in Europe: Country Guide. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4385768.stm on 11 February 2010Bilal Philips, Ameenah, (n.d). The True Religion. http://islamworld.net/docs/true.htmlCrane, Laura (2010) Religion and Healthcare – Islam. Medhunters. Retrieved from http://www.

medhunters.com/Article/religionAndHealthcareIslamOn 11 February 2010. Greene, Richard (2009-10-07) Nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide is Muslim, report says CNN. Retrieved on 11 February 2010 from http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/07/muslim.world.population/index.htmlIslam. 2010. BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/ Retrieved on 11 February 2010 McLaughlin, Abraham. (1986) The Africanization of Missionary Christianity: History and Typology, Steven Kaplan, Journal of Religion in Africa 16 (3) , 165-186.

Miller, Tracy, ed. (2009), Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Muslim Population, Pew Research Center, http://pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/Muslimpopulation/Muslimpopulation.pdf, retrieved 11, February, 2010.