Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. But what should they do if they fall seriously ill, have an accident or need an operation during this time? At Tübingen University Hospital, they can seek advice from the Muslim chaplaincy team, which is coordinated by Muslim chaplain Hazem Elgafari. Elgafari points out that vital medication must also be taken during the fasting period at the times specified by the doctors—fasting can be made up for. In Islam, the Koran prescribes keeping the body healthy. That is why there are also exceptions to the fasting requirement: for example, old people, small children, sick people, pregnant women and travelers are exempt from fasting. In any case, it is very important to prevent damage to health or the worsening of illness. As Elgafari says, the staff take the wishes of Muslim patients into account as far as possible. Several nurses are Muslim and therefore good contacts. “We always try to find a solution.”
The voluntary Muslim hospital chaplaincy can be contacted by telephone and email:
07071/29-87679
Hazem.Elgafari@med.uni-tuebingen.de
tun24031101
Die WHO gibt Empfehlungen zur gesunden Ernährung während der Fastenzeit. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Oula Mahfouz.
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