The 38th Annual convention of the Islamic Medical Association was held at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg from 27-28 April. The main guest speakers were Sheikh Nuruddeen Lemu and his wife Sister Salatu Lemu who is the director of research and training of the Dawah Institute of Nigeria. He is the son of the famous Sheikh Ahmed and Ayesha Lemu.
Both speakers made a huge impact on the conference delegates and in particular, Sheikh Lemu raised many issues concerning our understanding of the Usul al Fiqh and the Shariah and its implementation in the context of our times. One of the key issues he raised was that in order for us to have clear rulings on many of the issues that confront us today, particularly in the field of medicine, we need scholars who are well versed in all the classical schools of thoughts, not just the famous four. In addition, just as we have sub-specialisation in the field of medicine, we also need scholars who have sub-specialisation in the Islamic sciences. Just as a general medical practitioner cannot treat every ailment and has to refer to other specialist, an ordinary graduate of a Darul uloom is not qualified to issue rulings on any and every issue. We require scholars specialising in such fields as usul ul Fiqh, maqasid as shariah, finance, medicine, tasawwuf, etc.
The research papers that were presented at the conference covered a very large wide range of topics from diabetes, psychology, taking care of the elderly, allied health, dental health, etc. A very encouraging feature of the conference was the number of highly qualified Muslim women doctors and professors present and who presented papers and contributed to the discourse. There were parallel programmes for the youth, university students and spouses.
At the gala dinner on Saturday evening Mufti Ismail Menk and Wadah Khunfur (ex-director of Al Jazeera) and currently director of the Sharq Forum spoke on the theme: Islam – Present and future. Both speakers emphasised that Islam is the Deen of Allah and He is the one who will see it continue until the end of time. As Muslims all we have to do is to follow His commands and do our utmost to establish His order on earth.
A spokesperson for the conference expressed deep gratitude to all the presenters and delegates for a very successful 38th IMA conference. The next conference will be held in Cape Town.
Founding members of IMASA Dr Goolam Hoosen, Dr Mohammed Khan with Sheikh Nuruddeen Lemu
Mufti Ismail Menk
Sheikh Nuruddeen Lemu (Nigeria)
Sister Salatu Lemu (Nigeria)
Wadah Khunfur