(CLEVELAND, OH, 4/26/2010) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter recently offered a diversity training seminar for members of the Lutheran Chaplaincy Services. The training, which took place at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brecksville, Ohio, was entitled Optimizing Care for Muslim Patients and Clients.

The two-hour training provided information on Muslim demographics; basic religious beliefs and practices; Islamic perspectives on health and illness; interacting with Muslim patients, Islamic views on end of life issues; palliative care for the Muslim patient; grief and bereavement, and other topics of concern to hospital chaplains and health care practitioners.

“Health care providers increasingly agree that a holistic approach to patient care that takes cultural and religious background into consideration can help create positive outcomes for patients and their families,” said Julia A. Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland.

To set up a training session or for more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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