Sep 25

Sacred Support: Understanding Breastfeeding in the Context of Islam and Muslim Cultures

Muslims make up nearly 2 billion people globally, 3.45 million living in the United States, and they represent a wide variety of ethnicities. While cultural practices may vary among Muslim women, core principles of Islam related to the rights of women and children, can influence the feeding preferences of Muslims such as duration of lactation, wet nursing, weaning, fasting in Ramadan, and modesty. Understanding these influences and the range of practices of Muslim mothers will help professionals to become more comfortable in providing culturally- respectful care.

Virtual location

You will receive a confirmation email with a URL.

Sep 25, 2025 10:00am PT - Sep 25, 2025 12:30pm PT

Free

Join BreastfeedLA for “Sacred Support: Understanding Breastfeeding in the Context of Islam and Muslim Cultures” with Hoda Shawky, MSN, CPNP, PHN, PMHS, IBCLC, Doula. Muslims make up nearly 2 billion people globally, 3.45 million living in the United States, and they represent a wide variety of ethnicities. While cultural practices may vary among Muslim women, core principles of Islam related to the rights of women and children, can influence the feeding preferences of Muslims such as duration of lactation, wet nursing, weaning, fasting in Ramadan, and modesty. Understanding these influences and the range of practices of Muslim mothers will help professionals to become more comfortable in providing culturally- respectful care that is more meaningful to both families and lactation professionals.

Objectives - Here's what you'll learn:

Understand how key concepts in Islam influence the culture and practices of Muslim clients.
Learn about the rights of birthing and lactating mothers in Islam. 
Identify ways that lactation professionals can demonstrate culturally- respectful care to Muslim mothers and their families.

Continuing Education & Recording

For those needing Continuing Education Credits, CERPs will be available for a $19 fee, with certificates accessible on https://breastfeedla.thinkific.com/courses/Sacred-Support.

2.0 L-CERPs provided
2.0 Contact Hours available

The recording of this event will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks after the live event, and available for viewing for up to 3 years after the live event for anyone who purchases CEUs.

Meet the Speaker

Hoda Shawky, MSN, CPNP, PHN, PMHS, IBCLC, Doula

Hoda Shawky is a maternal child health consultant with 20 years of experience working as a pediatric nurse practitioner in low-income communities of Los Angeles and Orange County, California with expertise in lactation, childhood obesity, and maternal pediatric mental health. She received both her undergraduate degree and Masters’ of Science in Nursing from UCLA and completed a fellowships at the UMass Chan School of Medicine Early Relational Health Program and a Pritzker Fellowship in early childhood advocacy. Hoda recently founded Noorture, where she provides culturally- centered support to new parents and their infants infused with spiritual principles of love and light (which is Noor, in Arabic).

Cancellation Policy

Payment Policy

Continuing Education Credits

After the webinar a recording will be sent to all registrants to view for up to 1 year after the live event, therefore no refunds will be granted. It is the responsibility of the participant to view the recording while it is available. This webinar will not be available for sale later.

Payment must be made during the time of online registration using a credit or debit card. If you need to make alternate payment arrangements such as a company check to be mailed to BreastfeedLA, you MUST pay the General Registration rate and contact info@breastfeedla.org. No Early Bird registration rates will apply to payments by check. This policy is in effect as of Aug 1, 2017.

RN: BreastfeedLA is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing. This course offers 2.0 contact hours of continuing education. BreastfeedLA’s provider number is CEP 16435. Licensee must maintain certificate for a period of four years.

IBCLC: BreastfeedLA is an approved Long-Term Provider by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners #CLT113-36. 2.0 L- CERPs will be awarded.

RDs & OTs: Maintain a copy of the agenda and certificate for CPEs for Professional Development Portfolio.