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How Muslim and Non-Muslim Chaplains Serve Muslim Patients? Does the Interfaith Chaplaincy Model have Room for Muslims’ Experiences?

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Abstract

Chaplaincy is typically practiced within the contexts of the Jewish and Christian traditions, and little attention has been paid to the influence of the Islamic perspective of nursing and caring. Therefore, many Muslim patients might not receive appropriate care for their religious and spiritual needs, especially as they relate to daily religious practices and worship, medical ethics, and end-of-life treatment choices. This study examined Muslim and non-Muslim chaplains’ approaches to pastoral care used with Muslim patients in New York City hospitals. The study used in-depth interviews with 33 Muslim and non-Muslim chaplains. The results indicate areas of both convergence and divergence.

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Notes

  1. Muslim Mental Health, Inc. is an organization committed to promoting research and educational activities, introducing Muslim mental health concepts and advancing culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches (www.MuslimMentalHealth.com).

  2. Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) "A person who has demonstrated professional excellence as a chaplain, meeting all eligibility requirements including a Bachelor’s Degree, a 72 semester credit graduate theological degree from an accredited school, four units of clinical pastoral education (CPE) ordination or commissioning to function in a ministry of pastoral care, and ecclesiastical endorsement by a recognized faith group, is recommended by a Certification Committee, approved by the commission on Certification, and ratified by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. Board of Directors." (Association of Professional Chaplains, retrieved from www.professionalchaplains.org).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY, 11530, USA

    Wahiba Abu-Ras

  2. Department of Family Medicine Boston, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Lance Laird

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  1. Wahiba Abu-Ras
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  2. Lance Laird
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Correspondence to Wahiba Abu-Ras.

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Abu-Ras, W., Laird, L. How Muslim and Non-Muslim Chaplains Serve Muslim Patients? Does the Interfaith Chaplaincy Model have Room for Muslims’ Experiences?. J Relig Health 50, 46–61 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9357-4

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