Coping with Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Academics in the Muslim World.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global phenomenon defined by uncertainty, fear and grief which has resulted in record high levels of stress and anxiety in the first half of 2020. It also led to an increased interest in the study of the role of belief, religion, and spirituality as responses to coping with and responding to the pandemic throughout different societal domains. This study explores the impact of anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic on Muslim academics' subjective well-being. It also explores correlations between coping and spirituality by assessing Muslim academics' coping strategies in overcoming stress and anxiety. To this end, this study sampled 480 Muslim academics ages 25-60 years residing in Muslim countries. The findings show a negative yet significant correlation between anxiety and well-being while also showing a positive and significant correlation between coping strategies and subjective well-being. The research also points to the role of coping strategies in reducing anxiety and stress, the resulting improvements in well-being for Muslim academics, and the mediating effect of coping strategies between anxiety, stress, and well-being for Muslim academics.

Breastfeeding as a Fundamental Islamic Human Right.

The argument inherent in this paper is that the religious beliefs and values system deeply shape Muslims' breastfeeding culture and that mapping the religious ideals of Islam is essential given the potential inroads it offers toward enhanced neonatal, prenatal and pediatric practices, as well as the mitigation of malpractice or cultural inhibitors. This paper discusses the Muslim religious, moral and spiritual understanding of breastfeeding as a basic natural right while exploring the peculiar perspectives of Islamic law and ethics on the matter, in an effort to present a relevant coherent overview. This research shows that for Muslims, breastfeeding is intertwined with Islam's system of beliefs and values and hence continues to play a vital role in improving health education and increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Further empirical studies on Muslims' perception and practices of breastfeeding shall highlight the extent to which Muslims adhere to religious and spiritual teachings, the response to cultural, secular and liberal models of child upbringing, and how a Muslim religious discourse may further support and celebrate human lactation and breastfeeding as a basic right.