Community News (V11-I18)

Jewish & Muslim students explore common health issues

The University of Western Ontario’s Jewish Medical Club and the Muslim Medical Students’ Association  joined forces to explore health issues unique to Muslim and Jewish patients.

While raising awareness of health issues is the driving force behind a student-led presentation , Jewish and Muslim students from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry hope their collaborative efforts can demonstrate the importance of overlooking differences and working towards a common goal.

“We believe that as future physicians, it is our duty to be culturally sensitive towards the patients we treat and we hope that this event will help raise awareness about the health issues affecting Jewish and Muslim patients,” says Abdullah Alabousi, a representative from the Muslim Medical Students’ Association.

“We hope that this event will serve as a symbolic demonstration that Muslim and Jewish students can see beyond their differences and work together to raise awareness about each others’ cultures,” says Danny Mendelsohn, President of the Western Jewish Medical Club.

Dr. Nabil Sultan, a London-based nephrologist (a physician with an expertise in kidney diseases, kidney transplantation, and dialysis therapy) discussed such topics as ‘Religion and Healing,’ ‘The Muslim Physician’s Perspective: Is it encouraged or ignored?,’ ‘Porcine Valves: Lard and Other Pig By-Products in Medicine’ and ‘End of Life Issues: Withdrawal of Care and Pronouncing of Death.”

William Fisher, a Western professor of Psychology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, spoke about Judaism’s perspective on contraception, abortion, end of life issues and the Jerusalem AIDS project – a collaboration between Jewish and Muslim physicians and researchers in Israel and Palestine targeted at preventing the spread of HIV in the region.

Awards presented to NJ Muslim law enforcement officers

SOUTH PLAINFIELD,NJ–The executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Saturday presented an award to the American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers Association (AMLEOA) at the annual banquet of the council’s New Jersey chapter.

More than 300 people turned out for the event in Edison, New Jersey. Rashida Tlaib, the first Muslim woman to be elected to the Michigan Legislature, spoke about the important role of Muslims in the political process. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad also addressed the crowd, and presented CAIR-New Jersey’s 2009 Champions of Justice Award to AMLEOA “for outstanding service to the community.”

Ontario commits $80,000K to Muslim centre

LONDON, ON–The Ontario government is helping break the silence on domestic abuse in London’s Muslim community through a new grant that will increase support for victims.

The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration, headed by Londoner Mohammed Baobaid, will receive $80,000 to provide immediate crisis assistance to Muslim women and families.

The resource centre will help connect the Muslim community to government programs and services.

“Social support and integration is missing in terms of programming in our society,” Baobaid said.

Permission denied:Mississippi mosque

The Madison County Planning Commission today denied a request from the Mississippi Muslim Association for a zoning change that would allow it to build a mosque on U.S. 51.

Commissioner William Amadio said the decision was based on the city’s refusal to commit to providing sewer service to the property. The proposed site, just north of the city limits, lies in Madison’s certificated area for the utility service.

“The only problem I have is you haven’t worked out your issues with Madison,” Amadio said. “I would deny your request based on you don’t have utilities worked out with Madison.”

Madison city attorney John Hedglin said the city has no objection to whatever decision the commission reaches, as long as the Muslim Association would be willing to work out accommodations with the city regarding sewer service.

QMG welcomes Khalid Wahid

Quincy, Ill. — Quincy Medical Group  announced that Khalid Waheed, MD, MPH is joining the Mt. Sterling Affiliate in April 2009.

Dr. Waheed received his bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery (M.B.B.S) from Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India in March 2000. He received his masters in public health (M.P.H) from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill., in May 2005. His residency training was at North Oakland Medical Center in Pontiac, Mich.

Dr. Waheed worked as a duty medical officer in the Orthopedics Department at the Owaisi Hospital and Research Center in Hyderabad, India. He also practiced as a physician assistant at Mid-America Medical Center in Villa Park, Ill.

Dr. Waheed is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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