Being-Muslim and Doing-Islam: Narratives that Influence Physical Activity of Muslim Women in New Zealand

Authors

  • Nargis Ali Auckland University of Technology
  • Deborah Payne Auckland University of Technology
  • Erica Hinckson Auckland University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol12iss2id285

Keywords:

Physical activity, Muslim women, activity, religious stipulations, religion, Islam

Abstract

Muslim women in New Zealand form an ethnic and religious minority. Research related to the physical activity levels of these women and their health status is sparse, particularly in the New Zealand context. International literature shows that Muslim women are at risk of various diseases related to inactivity. Islam, the religion followed by Muslims, is perceived by many Muslims as a way of life that influences almost all aspects of their lives. Particular understandings of Islam and women’s roles within Islam influence the norms and expectations about health beliefs and physical activity. This study explored the role religion plays in shaping the physical activity of Muslim women in New Zealand. Findings revealed that the women in this study related to Islam in different ways and practised the religion in ways which either facilitated or hindered physical activity.

Author Biographies

  • Nargis Ali, Auckland University of Technology
    I have recently graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Doctor of Health Science degree. My research areas are Muslim women, health, physical activity and intercultural communication
  • Deborah Payne, Auckland University of Technology
    Associate Professor Co-Director - Centre for Midwifery & Women's Health Research / Paper Coordinator within the Doctor of Health Science programme and the Master in Health Science programme
  • Erica Hinckson, Auckland University of Technology
    Associate Dean (Postgraduate) - Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences

Downloads

Published

27-10-2015

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright © in this published form is held by Sites: New Series, Association of Social Anthropologists of Aotearoa New Zealand, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Individual readers and non-profit libraries acting for them, are permitted to print or download a single copy of an article without charge for use in research or teaching. Permitted use includes providing a link to an article, or hosting a PDF article in online Learning Management Systems or E-Reserve Systems for authorised users. A single article may be used in print or online Course Packs. Interlibrary loan is permitted. New Zealand Copyright Law and Copyright Licensing New Zealand Education Licence provisions apply. This consent does not extend to other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution, for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works or for resale. For such uses, written permission is required. Write to the Editor: sites@otago.ac.nz

How to Cite

Being-Muslim and Doing-Islam: Narratives that Influence Physical Activity of Muslim Women in New Zealand. (2015). Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, 12(2), 106-132. https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol12iss2id285