Please refer to the full text of the highlighted points related to the following summary points.
1 Profile of Islam in Ireland:
Muslims in Ireland come from a number of ethnic and national backgrounds. It is inaccurate to associate Islamsolely with the Middle East and/or Arab culture.(Fulltext of Essential Point 1in Profile of Islam in Ireland)
2 Religious contacts:
Clarify if the person is a Sunni or Shi'a follower and which religious leader should be called as necessary. Contact details for both communities are provided at the end of the section. (Fulltext of Essential Point 2 in Religious Contacts)
3 Ablutions and washing:
Cleanliness is emphasised among Muslims. The bed-bound may request water for ablutions before prayer, before eating and after using the toilet and this request needs to be met. (Fulltext of Essential Point 3 in Ablutions and washing)
4 Food and the content of medicine:
Muslims should be served halal (lawful) food, which includes animals and poultry that has been ritually prepared and all seafood. In particular, pork, alcohol and any foods containing these products are not allowed for Muslims. Alternatively, food prepared to vegetarian standards will be suitable for Muslims, provided that utensils used are clean of non-halal ingredients. (Fulltext of Essential Point 4 in Food and the content of medicine)
5 Gender issues, modesty and treatment needs:
Islam emphasises modesty for both men and women. Both men and women may prefer to be treated by a same gender healthcare practitioner, particularly for intimate physical examinations.
Both gender groups wish to remain as clothed as possible during examinations. (Fulltext of Essential Point 5 in Gender issues, modesty and treatment needs)
6 Death-related religious rituals:
If death appears imminent, relatives or the designated iman should be called and given facilities to perform the customary Islamic death rites. Just before death the person should be turned onto the right side facing south east (in Ireland). When a patient is unable to be turned, they may be placed on their back with the feet in the south easterly direction and their head slightly raised. (Fulltext of Essential Point 6 in Death-related religious rituals)
7 Customs to be observed at death:
Muslims believe that the deceased retains awareness, hence the body must be treated in a specific manner. If family is not immediately available, the appropriate Islamic Centre/iman will ensure Islamic requirements are met. Islam requires that burial take place as soon as possible; any reasons for delay should be explained to the family. (Fulltext of Essential Point 7 in Customs to be observed at death)
8 Cleaning and touching the body:
Healthcare workers should NOT wash the body. Immediately after death only essential tasks need to be performed.
- The body should only be touched by same gender healthcare staff.
- Wear disposable gloves and maintain a quiet composure.
- Close the eyes of the deceased.
- Remove any tubes and plug any incisions that may cause a flow of blood.
- Clean any excretions, i.e. excrement, blood, etc.
- Bandage the lower jaw to the head so that the mouth does not open.
- Flex the joints of the arms and legs to stop them becoming rigid so that washing and shrouding can be carried out properly.
- At all times the deceased's body must be modestly covered.
(Fulltext of Essential Point 8 in Cleaning and touching the body)
9 Foetal, infant and child death:
Full Islamic ritual is carried out for foetuses that have developed, stillborn babies and children.
Follow the guidelines in Essential Practice Points 6 to 8.
(Fulltext of Essential Point 9 in Foetal, infant and child death)
