FIMA Year Book 2010-2011 - Federation of Islamic Medical ...

FIMA GLOBAL RELIEF:
The Concept, Achievements and Challenges
FIMA GLOBAL RELIEF:
Ashraf Jedaar *
The Concept, Achievements and Challenges
Ashraf Jedaar *
Abstract:
The Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) was incorporated in the USA, in December
1981, as a non-for-profit organization aiming at promotion of healthcare, education, research and
collaborative work among Muslim medical professionals all over the world, to serve humanity, guided
by Islamic principles and the glorious Islamic civilization.
Although FIMA has not been established as a relief organization, medical relief endeavors to
communities stricken by calamities and disease, have been consistently on the agenda of FIMA and the
Islamic medical associations (IMAs) under its umbrella.
From Maluku Islands in the Far East to Haiti in the West, FIMA relief teams, acting voluntarily, saved
no effort to strive in alleviation of human suffering, regardless of creed, ethnicity, nationality or religion.
In this overview, we took the time and effort to dig into FIMA extensive archives of relief activities, in a
retrospective concise manner, to present most relief activities conducted by FIMA, member IMAs, and
collaborating relief NGOs, with even-handed documentation and pertinent historical backgrounds.
Leaders of various relief teams have been specified by name in this concise report, but this, in no way
ignores or negates other participating team members, who generously and voluntarily provided time and
effort in these altruistic, humanitarian activities, with the aim and intention to alleviate human agony,
and to please Allah, our Creator, the source of all mercy, healing and wisdom.
Keywords: Medical relief, human disasters, Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA).
Introduction:
Since the inception of The Federation of Islamic
Medical Associations (FIMA) in December 1981,
humanitarian relief featured prominently in its
charter, which stipulates:
“To mobilize professional and economic resources
for the provision of quality health care, services
and relief activities, wherever needed”.
Although FIMA is not a relief organization,
virtually every FIMA Council meeting has
itemized relief as a priority agenda.
During the 1980s, all Islamic Medical
Associations (IMAs), under umbrella of FIMA,
conducted relief activities in their own countries
and in neighboring countries that suffered from
natural or man-made health disasters. All IMAs
have specified significant portions of their humble
finances towards relief and rehabilitation of fellow
human beings. Volunteerism has always been the
backbone of these altruistic endeavors by all
IMAs.
In Islamic teachings, medical professionals are
guided by a wealth of heritage in the Glorious
Qura’n and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).
The following are only few illustrative examples:
*Dr. Ashraf Jedaar
FIMA Relief Coordinator
Cape Town-South Africa
E-mail: ajedaar@iafrica.com
FIMA YearBook 2010-2011
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