Islamic health promotion and interculturalization

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of Islamic health and health promotion perspectives. The Islamic value system which is often considered to be in opposition to perspectives includes many of the notions of end-of-the-millennium health promotion. Analysis of the three Islamic concepts based on Q uranic texts suggest compatibility in health promotion perspectives of Islam and the Ottawa vision on health promotion. Health and health promotion grounded on Quranic teachings is already natural and integrated in Islamic nations. However knowledge on health promotion seems hardly applied in this culture. The absence of essential social support unity and public participation in social and health matters in many Islamic societies may be attributed to a failure of Islamic governance. It was observed that Islam nevertheless provides more coherent foundations in health promotion. In general health promotion can be seen as much a Western concept. This insight may contribute to the further development of health promotion in both multicultural Western countries as well as in Islamic societies. In Western setting health promotion can be achieved through interculturalization process.