IMI 1st European and 7th National UK conference

IMI UK's 1st International European & 7th National Conference took place in London on October 8th. More than 250 participants filled the conference hall during clinical sessions, presentations on IMI's international projects, the intersection of Islam Ethics and modern medicine, and current Islamic awakening and our responsibility with a discussion on the dire human rights situation in Bahrain. A financial management specialist was at hand, and workshops were conducted on professional development and time management. Special presentations on Tibb al-Imam Reza as well as a cake cutting ceremony were incorporated in honor of the wiladat of Imam Reza (A.S.) along with eloquent performances of naat and salaam. Exhibits lined the conference hall along with the poster session that highlighted current research in a variety of fields from hematology to laparoscopic simulation models.

Following the conference, the Banquet dinner was attended by conference participants and additional community members to support IMI UK as well as IMI's programs in Somalia and Pakistan. The vision for IMI Europe was expounded and the new IMI UK Board of Directors and Advisors, as well as IMI's Europe Coordinator, were sworn in by IMI's Global President. After Tilawate e Holy Quran, a special message for the conference from Najaf e Ashraf was relayed by Ayatollah Ul Uzma Hafiz Bashir Najafi , where the Grand Ayatollah emphasized the need of such gathering in order to interact and network with like minded persons and spread the word of Islam in the light of medical knowledge. The full extract of the speech is available to download at the main IMI UK web site. At each meeting, participants stressed the importance of universal healthcare in line with IMI’s vision, ‘whoso saveth the life of one, it is as if he has saved the life of all humanity.’ (Quran 5:32). In addition, concerns were raised about the increased violence against Shias globally, and specifically doctors in Bahrain.

The Morning session was divided into two parts. The first clinical session discussed women’s health issues, dental make overs, discovery of drugs in today’s economical environment, followed by cancer screening, diabetes and latest management of hypertension, and cholesterol. After the morning tea break, the session embarked on the important topics covering healing people and connecting with the Shia community. The session was presented with the IMI globally by none other than the IMI global president Dr. Barkat Jaffry, which was followed by a lively speech by Dr. Nusrat Naqvi on female professionals in IMI.

Mr. Muhammad Sahara gave an in-depth and moving speech on the youth wing of IMI UK and its future role in the organization, emphasizing on the hunger the youths have to soak up knowledge in relation to IMI’s strategies and goals Touching people, connecting the Shia. Moderator, Dr. Wisam Muhsen, IMI global President Dr. Barkat Jaffry and Dr. Nausrat Naqvi on female professionals in IMI.

Following the Zohraine Namaz and Lunch, poster presentation session in the exhibits area, covering topics from, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Anti –TB therapy, the critical role of factor Va in coagulation, the effect of c-ABL inhibition by Imatinib, Holy Quran, the cure for every aliment, laproscopic simulation models to name the few.

The afternoon session started with topics covering how IMI was changing lives to make a difference in Iraq by Dr. Syed Saeed Bokhari who gave an in depth on GI projects in Iraq, followed by IMI Pakistan and the major issues involved in the present political, economical and natural disastrous situation by Dr. Hadi Imam. The session concluded with the speech by Maulana Syed Muhammad Sabzwari on IMI in Kerbela, Iraq.

The second part of the afternoon session, on Islamic Ethics and modern medicine chaired by Dr. Ahson Zafar Zaidi and delivered by Maulana Sheikh Hamid Waqar from Qum, Maulana Syed Muhammad Mossavi , Dr. Fatima Husain on Muslim Perspective on Infertility and Dr. Shabih Zaidi on Normative Ethics. This was the panicle and the most involved session as far as the audience participation following question and answer sessions were concerned.

A detailed inclusive article of this session is planned very soon to give a prospective insight of it. The last afternoon session on current Islamic Awakening and our responsibilities, was delivered by Maulana Syed Ali Reza under the moderation of Dr. Wisam Muhsen. The session ended with the poignant reminder of the situation of the Bahraini doctors under the authoritative rule of the dictators, and facing long jail sentences for doing humanitarian work which all medical doctors are trained to do, that is save lives. IMI’s young boys and girls took to the stage under the guidance of Dr. Wasi Haider, and recited the salaam followed by the cake cutting ceremony presided by Maulana Sabzwari Sahib and Maulana Ali Reza ,on the eve of the wiladat of our beloved Imam Ali Ibne Musa Al Reza S.A. The conference session concluded around 6.30pm which followed the Magribaine prayers.

To wrap up a long day of conference activities, IMI held the National IMI’s drought in the Horn of Africa and Pakistan Sindh Flood Relief Fundraising Banquet in the evening. Dr. Wajih Rizvi and Dr. Syed Qasim Jaffry also presented numerous awards to individuals who have contributed to IMI and IMI UK.

Special program for children and families was also held separately and running parallel to the main conference. Games and speeches between children, arts and craft workshops, lectures given by Maulana Syed Ali Reza on bringing up children in the West, plus further discussions and talks on the subject by Uzma Taqvi and Huma Raza Hussain.