IMASA Durban Branch 2018 Graduation

The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa’s (IMASA) Graduates Dinner is an annual event that has been held, without fail since the inception of the organisation. Initially it was held at the homes of the executive members in Durban. Now with the growing numbers and with other health-care institutions accepting students from all race groups, larger venues are needed and such functions are held in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfon­tein and Cape Town. These functions may also allow some centres an opportunity to raise funds for the organization’s many social welfare projects. The primary aim of these functions is to introduce the graduates to the IMASA and it’s activities and invite them to join the organisation and help enhance and further it’s workings. Invited speakers provide motivational talks to advise graduates on Islam’s value system.

This year’s event in Durban was held on the 28 November 2018 at the Orient Hall. The guest speaker, Moulana Junaid Kharsany, emphasised the need for minorities to rise above the mundane and to be the “sugar “ in the country by being instrumental to the uplift­ment of the poor majority. By way of example he quoted the role of the Parsees in India and Pakistan, who are a tiny minority but have created entities such as Bata and Tata which are tremendous assets to the country and its people. He went on to give the following advice: “A Muslim un­derstands that Islam requires us to benefit society as a whole. Historically, minorities were valued in their host societies because of the principled values they contributed. If we as a generation of graduates are going to excel, we must be propelled not by the desire of monetary gain or rank, but by the promotion of compassionate service, the very cardinal quality of Islam. Be as enthusiastic and motivated when serving our country’s disenfranchised, as you would serving the elite. Be as compassionate in a rural South African hospital as you would in a Palestinian clinic. After all, a Muslim is called on to serve all of the creation of Allah Ta’ala. May you be the pride of the Ummah and the beloved of the Almighty.”

The highlight of the evening is the taking of the Oath of the Muslim Health Care Worker by all the graduates after which they are treated to a sumptuous dinner and leave with gifts (mainly of beneficial Islamic litera­ture with the advice to study these for the real “final exam”).

IMASA GRADUATES DINNER 2018