Chaïma Ahaddour

Between quality of life and hope. Attitudes and beliefs of Muslim women toward withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments

The technological advances in medicine, including prolongation of life, have constituted several dilemmas at the end of life. In the context of the Belgian debates on end-of-life care, the views of Muslim women remain understudied. The aim of this article is fourfold. First, we seek to describe the beliefs and attitudes of middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women toward withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments. Second, we aim to identify whether differences are observable among middle-aged and elderly women’s attitudes toward withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments. Third, we aim to explore the role of religion in their attitudes. Fourth, we seek to document how our results are related to normative Islamic literature. Qualitative empirical research was conducted with a sample of middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women (n = 30) living in Antwerp (Belgium) and with experts in the field (n = 15). We found an unconditional belief in God’s sovereign power over the domain of life and death (cf. determined lifespan by God) and in God’s almightiness (cf. belief in a miracle). However, we also found a tolerant attitude, mainly among our middle-aged participants, toward withholding and withdrawing (treatment) based on theological, eschatological, financial and quality of life arguments. Our study reveals that religious beliefs and worldviews have a great impact on the ethical attitudes toward end-of-life issues. We found divergent positions toward withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, reflecting the lines of reasoning found in normative Islamic literature. In our interviews, theological and eschatological notions emerged as well as financial and quality of life arguments.

Institutional Elderly Care Services and Moroccan and Turkish Migrants in Belgium: A Literature Review

In several European countries, including Belgium, the rapid ageing of the migrant population has emerged only recently on the political agenda. The aim of this literature review is threefold. Firstly, it provides a review of the available studies on the accessibility and use of institutional care services by Moroccan and Turkish migrants in the Flemish part of Belgium including Flanders and Brussels. Secondly, it identifies their specific needs regarding elderly care services. Finally, it provides an overview of the way in which Belgian policy has dealt with the issue of migration and elderly care. Literature published between 1965 and 2014 and relevant to the Belgian context has been included. This search yielded 21 references, of which 8 empirical studies, 5 policy literature, 3 theoretical studies, 3 news articles and 2 popularized reports. Mainstream elderly care remains relatively inaccessible for these migrants due to the language and a series of cultural and religious barriers, a low level of education, financial constraints, a lack of knowledge of health care systems, and the so-called return and care dilemmas. Their religious and cultural needs are currently not met by elderly care services. The inclusive and neutral Belgian policy seems to pay insufficient attention to these issues.

Muslim burial practices and Belgian legislation and regulations: a comparative literature review

Abstract Belgian burial regulations are challenged by a growing Muslim population. In this review, we first provide an overview of Muslim burial practices. Second, we describe how Belgian public policies have addressed the topic of Islamic burial. Third, we compare Belgian burial regulations and their impact on Islamic burial with those of the neighbouring countries. Literature published between 1997 and 2016 has been included. Repatriation to the country of origin seems to be a result of a number of factors (religious and financial barriers; …). Differences are observed between policy levels and countries due to different interpretations of neutrality and religious freedom.

“God is the giver and taker of life”: Muslim beliefs and attitudes regarding assisted suicide and euthanasia

ABSTRACT In the context of the Belgian debates on end-of-life care, the views of Muslims remain understudied. The aim of this article is twofold. First, we seek to document the relation between contemporary normative Muslim ideas on assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia on the one hand and real-world views and attitudes of Muslims living in Belgium on the other hand. Second, we aim to identify whether a shift is observable in the views and attitudes regarding active termination of life between first- and second-generation Muslims. We have observed that when dealing with these bioethical issues, both first- and second-generation Muslims adopt a theological line of reasoning similar to the one that can be found in normative Islamic views. We have found an absolute rejection of every act that deliberately terminates life, based upon the unconditional belief in an afterlife and in Gods sovereign power over life and death.

Purification of Body and Soul for the Next Journey. Practices Surrounding Death and Dying Among Muslim Women

This study aims, first, to compare normative Islamic practices toward death and dying and actual practices of Moroccan Muslim women. Second, it seeks to compare the views and practices of middle-aged and elderly women. Qualitative empirical research was conducted with 30 middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women living in Antwerp (Belgium) and with 15 experts in the field. Our study shows that religious beliefs and worldview have a great impact on Muslims’ practices surrounding death and dying. More specifically, practices are strongly shaped by their eschatological beliefs. The rituals are perceived as preparations for the hereafter, entailing purification of both soul and body, and demonstrate the belief in a continued existence of the soul. We found striking similarities between our participants’ views and normative Islamic views. We did not find a more secular understanding of death and dying among the middle-aged women.

“God’s land is vast”. Attitudes and Practices of Moroccan Muslims regarding Burial and Repatriation of the Deceased

Abstract The aim of this article is fourfold. First, we seek to elicit the attitudes and practices of middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women towards burial and repatriation of the deceased. Second, we aim to identify whether differences are observable between middle-aged and elderly women’s attitudes and practices. Third, we aim to explore the role of religion in their attitudes and practices. Fourth, we seek to document how the real-world attitudes and practices of our participants relate to the normative Islamic views. Qualitative empirical research was conducted with a sample of middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women living in Antwerp (Belgium) (n = 30) and with experts in the field (n = 15). Our study shows that theological and eschatological considerations play a central role in Moroccan Muslim’s attitudes and practices regarding burial. A large majority of our participants opt for repatriation to the country of origin due to socio-emotional (attachment to family and territory), religious and financial reasons. One third of our participants – mainly middle-aged – would prefer burial in Belgium to stay close to their children and to ensure remembrance through grave visits. We did not find a more secular practice or understanding of burial among middle-aged women. We found striking similarities between our participants’ views and normative Islamic views.

Submitting to God’s will: Attitudes and beliefs of Moroccan Muslim women regarding mourning and remembrance

Abstract This study aimed to elicit the attitudes and beliefs of middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women regarding mourning and remembrance, to identify whether differences are observable between middle-aged and elderly participants, to explore the role of religion and to document how the actual attitudes of our participants relate to normative Islamic literature. Interviews were conducted with middle-aged and elderly Moroccan women living in Belgium (n = 30) and with experts in the field (n = 15). This study reveals that the religious beliefs have a great impact on the views of Muslim women. We found striking similarities between our participants’ views and normative Islamic literature.

“Every soul shall taste death.” Attitudes and beliefs of Moroccan muslim women living in Antwerp (Belgium) toward dying, death, and the afterlife

ABSTRACT This study aims to elicit the beliefs and attitudes of middle-aged and elderly Moroccan Muslim women toward dying, death, and the afterlife; to identify whether differences are observable between middle-aged and elderly participants and to document how the actual attitudes of our participants relate to normative Islamic literature. Interviews were conducted with middle-aged and elderly Moroccan women living in Belgium (n = 30) and with experts in the field (n = 15). This study reveals that the belief in an omnipotent and omniscient God and in an afterlife strongly marks the attitudes of first- and second-generation Muslims in Belgium toward life and death.