Wunir, Waseem2024-12-102024-12-102024https://hdl.handle.net/10315/42559In the current context of social work that advocates for inclusivity and diversity, amidst the growing traditional Muslim population in the Greater Toronto Area, the following qualitative study addresses a pressing subject and provides insights that can promote meaningful change. By engaging in six in-depth semi-structured interviews, the following papers address how religious, traditional Muslim social workers navigate and reconcile their traditional beliefs in a secularized social work context. The traditional Muslim has a complex relationship with Western models of social welfare, as evidenced by critiques from scholars such as Azmi (1991), Rasli (2022), and Ali (1989). These scholars highlight the traditional Muslim worldview is grounded in divine revelation and accordingly perceives social science frameworks through a unique lens, being built on Islamic principles. Moreover, an interpretive phenomenological approach (Beck, 2021) paired with Edward Said’s postcolonial theory (1978) within the enquiry revealed rich themes that delved deeper into underlying structural oppressions beyond the participant’s personal experience. These themes included: ideological conflicts, a hostile context, and coping strategies adopted by participants. Despite the challenging context and emotional strain, participants note the value of social work skills and how they reconcile their religious worldview with secular social work practices. The study exposes the need for Social Work education to overhaul its anti-Muslim biases and assumptions to accommodate diverse religious perspectives within educational settings and the field.enResearch Paper