Addressing Cultural Barriers with Muslim Clients: An Agency Perspective

Social service agencies face challenges in balancing the provision of culturally sensitive service with government mandates and policies. This article provides insight into some of the issues around culturally sensitive service delivery that agencies face when working specifically with clients who are Muslim. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 Canadian Muslim and non-Muslim social work practitioners in three Canadian cities to identify these specific issues. Respondents identified barriers to service provision for some Muslim clients and identified ways in which agencies can be responsive in addressing these barriers. Implications for social work practice are discussed.