Access offers training for non-Muslims in cultural sensitivity

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif.— Social workers from various Orange County family resource centers received cultural sensitivity training concerning Islam and Muslims from Access California Services, a Muslim-run organization that provides a wide range of services to local families and children. About 20 social workers from seven community-based organizations that serve members of the local Muslim American population gathered at the Anaheim/Fullerton Family Resource Center on March 13 for the seminar. ACS Operation Manager and Social Worker Rida Hamida directed the training, which focused on educating the attendees on the basic tenants of Islam, discussing stereotypes and addressing certain cultural traditions that may have been previously misunderstood. The tutorial began with basic background and developed into a discussion of the differences of commonalities between Eastern and Western cultures. Hamida discussed the Muslim conception of the family and explained gender relations as well as gender roles in Islam. She told social workers not to be insulted if a Muslim did not make eye contact or shake hands. “The Qur’an teaches Muslim men and women to ‘lower their gaze’ when communicating with unrelated persons of the opposite sex,” Hamida told the attendees. Many of those in attendance found the session enlightening. Sandy Figueroa, the health care coordinator at the AFFRC, told IFN she thought the training was effective. “One of the reasons I wanted this training for our health advocates (the social workers that interact with the families) is because there are so many stereotypes and misconceptions,” Figueroa said. “I wanted our health advocates to see the similarities between the cultures.” Access Outreach Coordinator Zaki Hmaydani saw the positive potential that Figueroa described, but from a different angle. “All these community-based organizations are recognizing the significance of cultural relativism,” Hmaydani told IFN.  “Morals and ethics are relative. So, what is moral in one culture could be immoral in another.” Another attendee, Kathy Yutchishen, health access program coordinator at Orangewood Children’s Foundation, also appreciated the training. “With so much being on the news and in the media these days about the Middle East and Islam in particular, it was wonderful to have Access provide an orientation on Islam and Muslims, especially as it deals with health and the community,” Yutchishen said.  “I believe everyone went away with an understanding that no matter what language you speak, religion you practice, or how you dress, all mothers and fathers want the best for their children.” Hamida told IFN that Access is planning on coordinating more cultural sensitivity trainings in the future, particularly with local school districts, law enforcement and other family resource centers. Since 2004, Access has been serving the community through a wide array of services, ranging from marriage counseling to child daycare. On the Web: accesscal.org

Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 November 2009 )