Islamic spirituality vis-à-vis Asia Pacific Muslim populations: A resource for Western social work practice

Abstract

Among Asia Pacific Muslims who migrate West, spirituality is fundamental. The implications include the need for Western social workers when appropriate to apply Islamic-specific spiritual criteria. The dampening effects of Western social work absent Islamic spiritual resources will impair the potential of the profession. Effective social work practice involving Asia Pacific Muslim populations must necessarily incorporate knowledge of Islamic spirituality and if necessary apply it. The ability of Western social workers to accurately perceive, conceptualize, and interact therapeutically with Asia Pacific Muslim populations is a necessity where such populations have recently migrated West.