On 2nd April 2020 following peer reviewed research in the BMJ Open and a grassroots campaign from BIMA, the BMA and NHS Employers, NHS England and NHS Improvement updated the National Uniforms and Workwear policy for the NHS. See the new guidance here. This means that for the first time in the history of the NHS, national guidance now recommends: …
An open letter to the Muslim community.
As Muslim Healthcare Professionals we have all been worried by the gap between the concerns around #COVID19 and the corresponding actions in our community. We have put this open letter together to simply and clearly highlight the clinical urgency and seriousness of the situation, on the continuation of congregational activities in Muslim institutions in light of the pandemic. Some will …
Updated: COVID-19 Guidance for Mosques in the UK
This is an update of previous guidance published on the 6th of March 2020 found here Last updated 12 March 2020 Dear Mosque Leaders, Staff and Volunteers, Asalaam alaykum, Peace be with you This is an update to the guidance issued on 6 March 2020 regarding the coronavirus, COVID19.[1] Emergency legislation will be introduced next week as containment measures to …
Covid-19 Advice
Coronavirus Infographic for UK Muslim Community There is a lot of information circulating about the coronavirus. BIMA & MCB would like to advise the Muslim community to take these precautions as suggested by the NHS & experts. We have summarised key information in this infographic, but please be aware that the situation is changing often and is correct as of …
Covid-19 Guidance for Mosques and Islamic Centres
*This guidance is out of date* The latest version is found here. Asalaam alaykum, We are writing to clarify the facts we currently know regarding the coronavirus, Covid-19, and how it is related to mosques in the UK. This guidance is equally applicable to other centres and congregational activities. Currently we know that Covid-19 is spreading in the UK with …
THE SUICIDE OF DR SRIDHARAN SURESH
We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr Suresh. A family man, devoted colleague and experienced clinician – the circumstances around his suicide starkly highlight serious failures in investigating healthcare professionals accused of misconduct.[1] The current system of investigation takes on the presumption of guilt until proven innocent; often results in immediate removal from work, …
BIMA Updated Position on Fluenz Vaccine
The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) is an umbrella body aiming to unite Muslim healthcare professionals. Our role as BIMA is to ensure differences of opinions from jurists are respected; to inform scholars & the Muslim community on the importance of herd immunity, and vaccine efficacy, as well as the risks of illnesses like influenza and benefits of vaccination. Influenza …
Letter to RCGP Annual Conference 2019
Dear Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, I hope this message finds you well. As the President of the British Islamic Medical Association, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reviewing your invite to Julia Hartley-Brewer to speak at the RCGP Annual Conference. Like many others, we were concerned at her initial invitation as she has a long history …
Response by BIMA to the GMC statement regarding a complaint involving a GP and patient wearing a face veil
We, the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA), would like to thank the General Medical Council (GMC) for their balanced and reasonable response to the recent highly publicised complaint involving Dr Keith Wolverson and an unnamed member of the British public who wears a niqab (face veil) [1]. We hope that this incident is handled in a way that protects the …
An overview of Islamic legal and bioethical considerations regarding termination of pregnancy
A submission to the NICE call for evidence regarding termination of pregnancy guidelines currently under review Guideline Scope Draft Guideline The UK is currently home to at least 3.4 million Muslims [1] who, to varying degrees, will refer to Islamic jurisprudential and ethical teachings to inform/guide their healthcare decisions, including that of termination of pregnancy (TOP). It is therefore pertinent …
Ramadan Mubarak
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (2:183) Ramadan is upon us and what a delightful guest it is. A holy month in which Allah offers us the biggest opportunity for redemption. It is imperative we make the most of this chance. Fasting is …
BIMA statement on the Government’s proposed “opt-out” system for organ donation after death in the United Kingdom
Opinions within the Muslim community There are a range of opinions present within the Muslim community as to the permissibility of organ donation after death. While there is evidence that a majority of Islamic scholars and Muslim health care professionals are proponents for it (with varying conditions needing to be satisfied), there is unfortunately relatively little clear evidence on …
March News & Views
Firstly this month, a study in the American Journal of Infection Control looked at vaccine compliance and parents’ stance on childhood vaccination. The study found that 85% of the Muslim parents surveyed support vaccination and were significantly more likely to be pro-vaccination than other parents from different religious affiliations. While the sample size was small for this study, it would be …
Statement on Dr Rogozov and blog post comments
Whilst all details on the incident, which occurred in 2013 and investigations are still ongoing, are unclear, the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) is deeply concerned about some of the comments made in the blog, and the subsequent reporting on the place of Muslim attire in theatres. Patient safety is at the heart of NHS care provision. Muslim healthcare professionals …
Statement: Response to BMJ’s ‘Doctors and Islamic State’
Letter to BMJ Editor-in-Chief The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) is shocked by the decision of the BMJ Editorial Team to publish the two articles in Duncan Gardham’s work “Doctors and Islamic State”. Gardham focusses on a handful of individuals and attempts to depict British Muslim medical students and physicians as subverters of professional standards and state security, and calls …
Statement on 2014 Gaza Attacks
The British Islamic Medical Association [1] condemns the attacks on medical facilities and personnel in the Gaza strip. We deplore the killing of patients and staff, and the targeting of ambulances on duty [2]. We urge the British medical community to join us in solidarity. Innocent civilians in Palestine are bearing the brunt of Israeli aggression with loss of life, …
