Ethan Rhodes
Muslims constitute large proportions of populations across the globe, including in the United States. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, and it is highly likely that a healthcare professional will care for a Muslim patient during their career. While there are no Muslim-owned hospital chains in the US, Muslims have contributed to American healthcare through smaller organizations and individual efforts. These include developing free clinics and sponsoring relief trips for underserved populations in the US and abroad. The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) is a leading resource and network for American-Muslim healthcare professionals, providing professional networking opportunities and educational resources for serving Muslim patients. Another organization, American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), encourages Muslim health professionals to serve their local communities and advance health equity for all Americans. These organizations and individuals are working to ensure that Muslim patients receive culturally and linguistically competent care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Muslim-owned hospital chains in the US | 0 |
| Number of Muslim-owned clinics in the US | 7 |
| Number of Muslim-led clinics in the US | Unknown, but they serve over 50,000 patients a year |
| Number of Muslim physicians in the US | Unknown, but they saw 5.2 million patients in NYC alone in a single year |
| Number of Muslim pharmacists in the US | Unknown, but they filled 9.6 million prescriptions in NYC alone in a single year |
| Number of faith-based hospitals in the US in 1995 | 585 |
| Number of faith-based hospitals in the US in 2016 | 726 |
| Number of hospital beds in the US managed by a Catholic healthcare institution | 1 in 6 |
| Number of charities supported by the Ummah Giving Circle | Over 50 |
| Amount of money collected by the Ummah Giving Circle | $1.3 million |
| Number of emergency medical responses by IMANA | 284 |
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What You'll Learn
Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA)
The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) was founded in 1967. It is a leading resource and network for American-Muslim physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals in North America. IMANA provides professional networking opportunities for healthcare practitioners and resources for educational institutions and medical professionals who want to know more about how to best serve their Muslim patients.
IMANA also offers networking and mentoring for medical students for their schooling or medical career choices. They have active medical relief programs and emergency relief efforts to respond to disasters. They help build healthcare capacity and facilitate medical knowledge transfer around the world. IMR, a platform under IMANA, provides physicians and allied health care professionals the opportunity to participate in medical relief activities in various projects.
IMANA has a mentorship program that provides a safe place to create valuable connections and share knowledge, regardless of where one is in their career journey. They also have a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to full-time students pursuing a career in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health. Additionally, IMANA provides monthly webinars on various topics presented by field experts.
IMANA has deployed 284 emergency medical response teams, bringing urgent care, medical supplies, and skilled hands to communities in crisis. They have provided aid in Haiti, Gaza, Pakistan, and California. IMANA also has a presence in Gaza, where they provide frontline care and save lives by funding urgent medical treatment during crises.
IMANA holds several medical conventions per year, including an annual convention. Every other year, the convention is held internationally. Previous conventions have taken place in Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and China. The 2008 meeting was the first joint meeting with FIMA (the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations) and was held in Morocco. IMANA also publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Islamic Medical Association Newsletter, and a quarterly peer-reviewed medical publication, the Journal of the Islamic Medical Association (JIMA).
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Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is a grassroots Muslim organization that seeks to promote Islam and the Islamic way of life in the United States. Established on September 1, 1968, ICNA was formed in response to the growing need for a supportive Muslim community in North America. The organization initially focused on educating its members about Islam and Islamic values, particularly in religiously diverse communities.
ICNA is an offshoot of the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) and was founded by immigrants from South Asia. In 1971, a group of South Asian MSA members who had been involved in Islamic movements in their home countries formed an Islamic study circle in Montreal, known as Halqa Ahbab Islami. This group would become the predecessor of ICNA. The organization's headquarters are in Jamaica, New York, and include classrooms, a reading room, and a small mosque. ICNA also has offices in Detroit, Michigan, and Oakville, Ontario.
ICNA has a women's group, known as the "Sisters Wing," which was established in 1979. This group provides Islamic education to women and empowers them through awareness initiatives, community efforts, and outreach programs. Additionally, they run programs for young children under MCNA (Muslim Children of North America), which aim to educate Muslim children about Islam and help them navigate real-life concerns while living as dedicated young Muslims.
ICNA holds an annual convention that is one of the largest gatherings of American Muslims in the United States, attracting thousands of attendees. These conventions address various topics, including concerns arising from Islamophobic hate crimes, such as "Combating Islamophobia" and "Asserting Your Rights Under the Trump Presidency." ICNA also advocates for social issues, such as equal economies, resource distribution, human rights, fairness, and the elimination of discrimination and inequality. They have taken a stand on international issues, including the War in Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and have condemned terrorism and supported counter-terrorism initiatives.
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Muslim-led free clinics
In the United States, Muslims have established free medical clinics to provide healthcare services to uninsured and low-income patients, irrespective of their background. These Muslim-led free clinics are often driven by the Islamic belief in the importance of caring for humanity and saving lives. While there are no studies measuring their collective impact, it is estimated that these clinics served over 50,000 patients annually as of 2019.
One notable example is the El Bari Community Health Center in San Antonio, Texas. Founded by Dr. Suhaib Haq and Dr. Samreen, the clinic offers access to a range of medical specialists. The volunteer doctors at El Bari are Muslim, and most of its funding comes from the Muslim community. However, the clinic serves a diverse patient population, reflecting the Islamic tenet of serving all of humanity. The doctors at El Bari view healthcare as a universal right and are committed to making it accessible to the most vulnerable members of society. They also face the challenge of addressing Islamophobia and countering negative perceptions of the Muslim community.
Another example is the Hoosier Crescent Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana, which was established by Nadeem Siddiki, an engineer who recognized the need for affordable healthcare in the state. Inspired by a news report about a Muslim-led free clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, Siddiki collaborated with physicians from the local Islamic society to set up a similar initiative. They secured donated space from a local college, remodeled it into examination rooms, and acquired equipment from nearby hospitals. The Hoosier Crescent Foundation now serves patients who previously struggled to access healthcare due to financial barriers.
These Muslim-led free clinics address the healthcare needs of underserved communities, often evolving from volunteer-based initiatives to more established operations. They reflect the Islamic values of compassion and service, as well as the commitment of Muslim health professionals to leverage their skills for the benefit of their communities. Organizations like the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) and American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) also play a vital role in promoting health and serving humanity, both within Muslim communities and beyond.
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Muslim healthcare professionals in the US
American Muslim health professionals play a crucial role in advocating for accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all. Organisations like the American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) encourage Muslim healthcare professionals to utilise their unique skill sets to serve their communities and promote health equity. AMHP also focuses on mental health initiatives, aiming to enhance the capacity to identify mental health issues early on and reduce stigma.
To provide culturally competent care to Muslim patients, healthcare professionals must understand Islamic beliefs and practices. This includes knowledge of dietary restrictions, modesty, privacy, touch restrictions, and alcohol intake restrictions. It is essential to accommodate the cultural and spiritual values of Muslim patients, and hospitals can facilitate this by hiring Arabic and Urdu/Hindi-speaking staff, as well as Muslim chaplains.
Additionally, when interacting with Muslim patients, healthcare professionals should be mindful of gender dynamics. It is preferable to have clinicians and nurses of the same gender as the patient, especially in obstetric and gynecologic care. If gender-specific care is not possible, a same-gender staff member or relative should be present during examinations or communication.
Overall, Muslim healthcare professionals in the US make valuable contributions to their communities while also navigating unique challenges and playing a crucial role in improving healthcare accessibility and cultural competence within the healthcare system.
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Culturally competent care for Muslim patients
Muslims constitute large proportions of populations across both Muslim-majority countries and other countries with significant Muslim populations, such as the United States. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, and it is highly likely that a healthcare professional will care for a Muslim patient during their career.
The Islamic faith encompasses several ethnicities with diverse views regarding illness and healthcare. As a result, the care of Muslim patients can present challenges for non-Muslim healthcare providers. The Islamic faith can influence decision-making, family dynamics, health practices, risks, and the use of healthcare. Understanding Islamic beliefs will assist healthcare professionals in delivering appropriate healthcare in a culturally sensitive manner.
Healthcare professionals should be aware of cultural and religious factors that help provide culturally competent and appropriate promotion and education of health services to the Islamic population. They must be educated about Islamic teachings to appropriately encourage healthy behaviors and provide quality care to their Islamic patients.
There are several reasons to be culturally and spiritually sensitive to every culture and religion, including the Muslim population. There is an ethical and moral duty for healthcare providers to offer the best possible care to every patient. Hospitals should strive to accommodate patients' cultural, personal, religious, and spiritual values.
Some specific ways that healthcare providers can be more culturally competent when treating Muslim patients include:
- Providing gender-concordant care, except in emergencies where rapid life-or-death intervention is required.
- Offering food consistent with religious requirements, such as providing Kosher or vegetarian options, or allowing patients to bring their own food.
- Providing space for prayer, such as a non-denominational hospital chapel.
- Being mindful of Islamic rules regarding prohibited substances, such as alcohol, non-Halal animal fats, pork, and by-products of pork.
- Accommodating prayer times, which may interfere with medical care facility mealtimes, and allowing patients to fast during Ramadan.
- Minimizing eye and physical contact between healthcare workers and patients of the opposite gender, and communicating through a spouse if needed.
- Hiring Arabic and Urdu/Hindi-speaking staff and Muslim chaplains to be available to patients.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no Muslim-owned hospital chains in the US, but Muslims have contributed to American healthcare through smaller organizations and individual efforts, such as developing free clinics and sponsoring relief trips for underserved populations.
The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) is a leading resource and network for American-Muslim physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals in North America. They provide networking opportunities for healthcare practitioners and act as a resource for educational institutions and medical professionals who want to learn more about serving their Muslim patients. IMANA also has Emergency Medical Response Teams that have deployed 284 times, bringing urgent care, medical supplies, and skilled hands to communities in crisis.
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) operates free clinics for uninsured patients in seven cities across the United States and has mobile clinics after Friday prayers. Free Muslim-led clinics across the nation serve over 50,000 patients a year, half of whom are not believers. Additionally, the Ummah Giving Circle has collected over $1.3 million distributed to over 50 charities, with a focus on domestic poverty.
Hospitals can improve their cultural competence by having Arabic and Urdu/Hindi-speaking staff and hiring Muslim chaplains. They can also provide halal food and prayer spaces for Muslim inpatients and build partnerships with mosques to create health awareness campaigns targeting the Muslim community.
Many Muslim Americans attribute illnesses to the influence of God, describing them as "a disease of fate" or "a trial from God by which one's sins are removed." This religious perspective leads to a holistic view of healing that involves both spiritual and medical agents. Imams, as spiritual leaders, play a significant role in the healing process by helping Muslims understand disease and illness.
