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The man, it turned out, was an intern who would not be "touching" Yasmine, just "observing" the female labor nurse at work. This was rejected by both Yasmine and her husband because the issue was not only "touching" as far as they were concerned but also "looking." Many on the staff became offended at this point, simply not understanding why the intern had been asked to leave. He himself was so upset that he attempted to re-enter the room, asserting that it was his right to do so. But the Chief of Staff heard the commotion and came to stop that from happening. It did not end there. The labor nurse was so angry about the situation that she became very tough with Yasmine, making several harsh comments to her whenever they were alone in the room together. She was also very harsh in her physical treatment of her during and after her labor. Sadly, Yasmine felt powerless to complain because this nurse was in charge of her care and had the ability to cause serious harm to her or her baby. So she stayed silent. Yasmine is not alone in what she experienced in the hospital that day. Many Muslim women dread a visit to the doctor for fear that they will be in similar predicaments. If anything, Yasmine's story brings to light a need for dialogue between Muslims and healthcare professionals so that hospitals will be better equipped to deal with the unique needs of Muslim patients. The Southern California Niqabi Network (an organization dedicated to educating the public about various aspects of the Islamic faith), has prepared a useful brochure for Muslim women to give to their doctors. It is a must-read for anyone interested in this issue. |