A STUDY ON MUSLIMS’ PERCEPTION OF TRADITIONAL HEALING AMONG SOMALI MUSLIMS IN EASTLEIGH OF NAIROBI, KENYA: IMPLICATIONS FOR MISSIONS

Abstract

This research is a study on the perception of traditional healing by Somali Muslims in Eastleigh of Nairobi, Kenya and the implications for missions. This is to understand the Somalis view of traditional healing and why they prefer traditional healing to modern forms of healing. This study also looked at possible appropriate approaches Christians can use to reach Somali Muslims in Eastleigh in their context. The review of literature of selected themes related to this study reveals that traditional healing is a common phenomenon among Muslims. They seek traditional healing in search of powers and solutions to their physical and spiritual felt-needs. To understand this phenomenon, the researcher used an ethnographic research design for a qualitative research. Data was collected using both research interview and observation methods. This research’s main instrument was interviews questions. The findings of this study are discussed and analyzed based on the research questions to understand Somali Muslims’ perception on traditional healing. Research question one discussed Somali Muslims’ understanding of traditional healing. In research question two, Muslim Imams makes a distinction between the cultural traditional healing and the Islamic traditional healing. Research question three compare and contrast between Muslims’ perception and the Islamic teacher’s view on traditional healing.f5m./ At the end of this study the researcher in view of her findings made recommendations for effective outreach among Somali Muslims in Eastleigh, Nairobi.