Keywords

caring, culture, death and dying, faith, Muslim, nursing, terminally ill

 

Authors

  1. Salman, Khlood RN, DrPH
  2. Zoucha, Rick PhD, PMHCNS-BC, CTN

Abstract

Nursing is a caring profession that strives to deliver holistic care regardless of patients' cultural differences, values, and religious faith. The current health system in the United States was developed to meet the needs of the dominant cultural groups, despite the fact that the United States is the most diverse country in the world. Nurses and other healthcare professionals cannot assume that common cultural values or a standard care plan is applicable to all people. An important aspect of promoting culturally competent care is the careful examination of religious faiths. The Islamic faith is considered a culture and philosophy of life, which characterizes Muslims from other faiths and cultures. For Muslims, at the death bed, spirituality and religious faith are the only empowering sources that help them to face death. To deliver effective culturally congruent care to a terminally ill Muslim patient, the Islamic rituals must be carried out in a way that recognizes and respects the cultural differences of this particular population. This article presents a general overview of the Islamic faith within the cultural context and highlights considerations that may empower nurses to deal with challenges of caring for the dying Muslim patients and their families.