Assalamu Alaikum!

This Ramadan, IMed hosted an Open Iftar at the Medical School, inviting all members of the MDS community to join in breaking their fast together. We displayed the many contributions Muslims have made to healthcare in our exhibition, raised money for Al Makassed Hospital during a bake sale, and—most importantly—created a welcoming environment for non-Muslims to have friendly conversations about Islam!

An Inspiring Start to the Evening

The Open Iftar began in the Leonard Deacon Lecture Theatre; instead of lecture slides being displayed (much to our relief), a video made by Muslim students was shown. They shared their motivations for pursuing a healthcare degree, much of it linking back to helping people for the sake of Allah, easing others’ burdens, and being mindful of Allah in every aspect of their studies.

Dr. Asim Yusuf followed with a heartwarming speech, reminding us that ‘with hardship comes ease’ and encouraging us to never to forget why we chose our degrees. He emphasised that to take care of others, we must also take care of ourselves. It wouldn’t be a medical speech without some Latin, and indeed, the etymology of compassion (from compati—‘to suffer alongside someone’) was highlighted.

Professor Kate Thomas then took the stage and delivered a concise yet powerful message about the diversity within the MDS community. She emphasized that despite our differing beliefs, breaking bread and sharing common values unite us and are fundamental to our humanity.

A Beautiful Moment of Togetherness

As I sat in the lecture hall and looked around, I realized it had been a while since I’d seen the theatre this full. Students from all years, degrees, ethnicities, and religions were gathered with the shared intention of doing good for others and striving to use our knowledge for something greater than ourselves. Of course, from an Islamic perspective, we do good not just out of kindness, but because Allah loves those who do good:

"So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah loves the good-doers." (Qur’an 3:148)

Breaking Fast and Sharing Food

We broke our fast, handing out dates and water to everyone, prayed Maghrib in congregation, and then headed to the Wolfson Common Room for iftar. Adorned with fairy lights and flowers, the room was beautifully set, and the white banqueting rolls quickly disappeared as we all sat on the floor to eat, following the Sunnah. The room buzzed with conversation, and one could easily see meaningful discussions taking place between Muslims and non-Muslims over shared food.

The Exhibition and Community Engagement

After everyone had eaten, the exhibition reopened. For the next few hours, attendees explored the displays, which ranged from original manuscripts to posters showcasing Muslim pioneers in medicine. There were also interactive stalls, including crafts and a suturing station—not to mention an impressive bake sale featuring an array of delicious treats. Of course, no IMed event would be complete without chai!

The Power of Personal Invitations

Conversations with guests reinforced how vital personal connections are; many non-Muslims attended because they were personally invited by a Muslim friend from their course. It was a reminder that dawah comes in many forms, and by putting our best selves forward, we should strive to ensure our peers associate only goodness with our conduct:

"The best among you are those who have the best manners and character." (Bukhari)

The Legacy of Knowledge and Unity

We are blessed to have such a strong MDS presence on campus, and the Open Iftar highlighted what can happen when we use this to our advantage. During the Golden Age of Islam, scholars from various beliefs, languages, and ethnicities converged in Baghdad in pursuit of knowledge. While the Medical School may not quite be the House of Wisdom, the opportunity to foster unity and understanding still remains.

Looking Ahead with Hope

As future healthcare professionals, we will treat patients together—Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Let us maximize our common ground, engage in meaningful discussions about our differences, and serve as a constant reminder of the goodness that Islam brings.

Insha’Allah, may this event be the first of many that bring people closer to Islam. We pray that Allah guides us all! Ameen.

~ Salimah