Muslim post

I actually just took care of a pt of the Muslim belief this week while we were talking about the Muslim culture. I did not know much other than the women dressed covered from head to toe and the men were always dressed what I would call normal.  I never understood why it was that it was this way.  I new that them believed in Allah, I had heard terminology such as jihad, mecca, etc.  I hoped to get a better understanding of why the women dressed this way, way their true beliefs were and why they practice prayer so many times a day.  I learned that they pray 5 times a day, and when they pray they are in a specific position.  I also learned that women dress the way they do is because their sexuality and beauty is not for public display.  Women are only meant to share this with their husbands.  When they are at home and around father, brother ( anyone there is no possible way they are to marry, they may beautify themselves in anyway they want and go without their headdress.).Men and women are considered equal and women are regarded as precious and valuable. When I was taking care of my patient this week, she had her head dress on and I needed to take a temperature.  I had heard that they will not even remove their head dress for this.  I didnt know what to do so I politely asked if it would be ok to move the head piece just enough to get a temperature and there was no problem.  It was interested to see how reserved this patient was, very quiet and proper. I hope that I will be able to find ways in which to respect their cultural beliefs and they believe that they must have a care giver of the same sex especially when women are giving birth.  This may be something that happens in a hospital setting that if you do not know their culture may bring about a problem.