The Role of Imams in American Muslim Health: Perspectives of Muslim Community Leaders in Southeast Michigan

Abstract

American Muslims are a diverse and growing population, numbering nearly 200,000 in Southeast Michigan. Little empirical work exists on the influence of Islam upon the healthcare behaviors of American Muslims, and there is to date limited research on the roles that imams, Muslim religious leaders, play in the health of this community. Utilizing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) model through collaboration with four key community organizations, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 community leaders and explored their perceptions about the roles imams play in community health. Respondents identified four central roles for imams in healthcare: (1) encouraging healthy behaviors through scripture-based messages in sermons; (2) performing religious rituals around life events and illnesses; (3) advocating for Muslim patients and delivering cultural sensitivity training in hospitals; and (4) assisting in healthcare decisions for Muslims. Our analysis also suggests several challenges for imams stemming from medical uncertainty and ethical conflicts. Imams play key roles in framing concepts of health and disease and encouraging healthy lifestyles outside of the healthcare system, as well as advocating for Muslim patient needs and aiding in healthcare decisions within the hospital. Healthcare partnerships with these religious leaders and their institutions may be an important means to enhance the health of American Muslims.

Views of Somali women and men on the use of faith-based messages promoting breast and cervical cancer screening for Somali women: a focus-group study

“…Imams may play an important role in providing health promotion messages to their community, including the value of undertaking preventive screenings and treatment [29, 30]. In this research, messages shared by an Imam were seen to be acceptable and influential because they were being delivered by a faith leader.…”

An Outbreak of Measles in an Undervaccinated Community

“…22 Additionally, the local Somali community has a strong oral tradition used to inform and advise one another.…”

Constructing Mental Illness: Comparing Discourses on Mental Health, Illness, and Depression by Muslim Leaders with those found in Consumer Health Materials

“…Furthermore, many studies discussed Muslim patients' preferences of seeking help from a therapist at least familiar with their traditions if not Muslim as well. Another study exploring the role of imams in the mental health of American Muslims (Padela, Killawi, Heisler, Demonner, & Fetters, 2011) found that imams have a role in framing health information for congregants as well as in health care settings for non-Muslim practitioners. The work of Ali and Milstein (2012) also brings forward the roles of imams in referring congregants to clinicians, while continuing their own counseling, to provide a collaborative, culturally sensitive approach to mental health.…”