Islam: faith and medicine
BMJ 2007; 335 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0709307 (Published 01 September 2007) Cite this as: BMJ 2007;335:0709307
- Mohammed Imran Sajid, chairman, 2004-61,
- Ifra Sajid, 2004-5 representative1
- 1University of Manchester BMA Intra-School Committee
So you made it into medical school. You are excited about meeting new people; you want to work hard to become a good doctor; and you want to take part in extracurricular activities. But you also want to continue to be a good Muslim. You may be thinking, “Might I have to compromise my faith?”
The United Kingdom is a multiracial and multicultural society. Muslims contribute to all parts of the economy and to the cultural richness of the nation. But in the media, in the community, and even in medical schools and hospitals there are failings in understanding and acceptance. Greater awareness of the need for mutual understanding and acceptance is needed to draw Muslims and non-Muslims closer.
Islam in European history
Prince Charles has spoken about how Islam can teach a way of understanding and living in the world because it refuses to separate man and nature, religion and science, and mind and matter. It upholds an integrated view of the universe at its heart. He also spoke about how medieval Islam was a religion of remarkable acceptance for its time, allowing Jews and Christians the right to practise their inherited beliefs, setting an example that was sadly not imitated in the West for many centuries.
Islam has been a part of Europe for a long time and has contributed much towards the highly developed society in Spain and in the Balkans. Many of the qualities that modern Europe prides itself on came from Muslim Spain, including diplomacy, free trade, …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £184 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£50 / $60/ €56 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.