Transcript Document
Bridge Between Islam & Organ/Tissue Donation What is Islam? Islam The monotheistic religion where Allah is the One and only God, worshipped by followers of Islam called Muslims, articulated by the Holy Book, The Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophets described in Hadith, which are the reported ways of these Prophets. Islamic Denominations Speaker’s Demographics Name Raunak Jahan, Runi for short. Religion Islam of Sunni denomination Culture Bengali born in Bangladesh but raised in Houston, TX Education Graduated from high school in Houston in 1999. Went on to medical school in Bangladesh at North Bengal Medical College. Specialized as an OB/GYN for 5 years after graduation. Served as primary the OB/Gyn for the indigent habitants of the slums of Bangladesh, who were deprived of proper medical care. Current Employment Donation Clinical Specialist at LifeGift in Houston, TX. Runi’s Cultural Background Asian Muslim 2 Parent, 3 sibling household Celebrate religious holidays, birthdays, family gatherings called dawat. Family educational background composed of college graduates to specialized degrees in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Psychology. Men are decision makers. Primary goals for life: Respecting all religious views, obtaining full education followed by marriage. Residence of majority family 50% (Mother’s side) live in Houston, TX 50% (Father’s side) live in Bangladesh My Family's Views on Donation Isn’t that against our religion?? Our body should go in the same way it was sent. I want to leave this world with what Allah (God) gave me. I do not want to be chopped up. They will sell my organs to the black market for money not to save people. Sickness is a type of repentance for sins, so even if I gave someone my organs, if God chooses for that person to stay sick, no one can change that. I’m not poor, I don’t need to sell my organs. Oh! Donate, isn’t that against the law? I will not be provided full treatment if I am in a critical medical state and they see I am a donor. 10% of persons I interviewed changed/avoided the subject and said they were busy. The Big Question… Organ trafficking False References True References Organ Theft Does Islam permit organ transplant??? “Three conditions arise. ~One, it should not be damaging for the donor. If a donor dies just by donating his organ, in that case it’s Haram. ~Second condition is different. A person can live on one kidney. If I donate one kidney and the other person survives, both of us are saved. ~Then the third point is that you cannot donate your organs for the cause of money. If these conditions are fulfilled, then organ transplant can be done. “ -Zakir Naik Bengali Infusion into Islam Growing up as a Bengali Muslim, ~I have observed how culture and tradition have affected how I follow my religion and how some traditions divert away from the documented ways of Islam. ~These altered ways are being practiced without correction by many of the Bengali and Pakistani communities I observe everyday. ~Researching authentic references continue to guide me towards authentic practices. For example, becoming an organ donor five years ago, after the bridge between donation and my religion emerged out of the fog of falsification surrounding me. Bengali Infusion into Islam As a bengali muslim dcs of the LifeGift Team, My role has become a focus of attention for my community. The reason being that my society is confused on the true Islamic views towards organ and tissue donation, and they rather be safe than sorry and away from sin. Their many questions have cleared up a fog of confusion in themselves as well as my own self, again making a bridge between Islam and organ/tissue donation more visible. Moreover, making people of my culture more interested and approachable with my occupation and its concept. Rana’s Cultural Background Arab Islam 2 parent 5 sibling home College Educated and higher Celebrate most holidays, birthdays. God, dignity, family, self respect, honesty, education are important. Reputation is very important. Majority of family Live: Rana’s immediate family live in the US: LA, Phx, and Ohio and herself in Houston. Most all other family members live in Baghdad, Iraq. Views on Donation: Islam respects and gives rights to the dead body as much as it respects and gives rights to the living body. The debate over donation is still on going due to peoples’ own interpretation and cultural views. Islam permits donation under specific circumstances. And as always Islam ensures the best for all members of society. Saving a life in Islam is a high honor. Most Arabs say it’s a good thing. An Arab Muslim is statistically more likely to donate then an Indian/Pakistani Muslim. It is very taboo to talk about one’s decision on donation because talking about one’s death will jinx yourself to die. And that view is shared in the Arab culture , as it is bad luck. Her family was very proud of her role as FCS and think she was doing a great thing for society but donation was only spoken in general terms. She believes the younger generation of Arab Muslims are becoming more pro-donation due to many factors in modern Arab society. Having knowledge of one’s culture, religion, and tradition will generate a more comfortable and respectful approach, giving you a better chance of obtaining authorization. Conclusion: Toolbox Tools When Approaching a Muslim Family : ~ Women do not touch men other than their husbands, brothers, sons, and men do not touch women other than their wives, daughters and sisters. ~ In extreme cases, men do not look at women and women do not look at men other than the ones mentioned above. ~ Thus, using the same gender requestor as NOK would be preferable. More Tools… ~ A requestor with similar to same cultural background may be more accepted. ~ Having knowledge on the family’s culture, religion and tradition is a plus, i.e Muslims do not cremate, we bury a deceased loved one after wrapping him/her in white cloth called the kafan after washing the body. ~ Muslims do not usually want time after they are sure their loved one is deceased. In other words, they want the burial process to occur as soon as possible. Having that in mind, family time restraints may be common to follow authorization. More tools… ~ Making sure they understand how the process is funded and that no trafficking of any organs or tissue will take place. ~ Use examples of how the transplant of organs/tissue has helped people. ~ Be sure to mention that you are here to help and to make sure the hospital is treating their loved one as best as they can. ~ Bengali/Pakistani people usually are more conservative, thus mentioning the Golden Rule and stories of how the Prophets helped others would be a plus. Do Research!!! ~The National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance (NBTA) at UK has a website http://www.nbtauk.org.uk/islam-and-organ-donation/ which describes the Islamic view on organ donation. ~ Gift of a Lifetime website : http://www.organtransplants.org/understanding/religion ~ www.ummah.com is a forum with questions answered with a section on organ and tissue donation ~Many forums, websites and other resources are out there but keep in mind that you do not want to become a victim of falsification, thus always look to see if the information is backed up with versus from the Qu’ran and/or authentic Hadith. Questions/Comments? Dhonnobaad/Shukran/Thank You!