A Narrative Review of Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Hospice and Palliative Care in South Asian Muslim Communities

Abstract

As hospice and palliative care (HPC) expands, it faces the challenge of serving patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Understanding these communities’ unique values during critical life transitions is essential. This article presents two case narratives illustrating reservations toward HPC in South Asian Muslim (SAM) communities, highlighting challenges and proposing strategies for culturally sensitive care. The first case demonstrates that, even with evidence-based and empathetic approaches, hesitancy toward HPC may persist. This underscores the need for (1) community-level initiatives leveraging religious and cultural platforms to educate and engage communities, and (2) greater awareness among healthcare professionals of these values to minimize conflict and reduce provider distress. In the second case, Islamic scholars were consulted regarding the use of sedative medicines at the end of life. They agreed such use is permissible under the principle of medical necessity, emphasized deference to medical expertise, and stressed preserving the patient’s ability to recite the Shahadah (testimony of faith) in their final moments.