Monday, June 20, 2016
As hundreds of tables were laden with colorful and familiar traditional Arabic meals, the Turfah family took pride in sharing the history of the Islamic tradition of Ramadan with a diverse table of colleagues and peers.
Fuad Turfah, M.D., a Beaumont surgeon, was joined by his wife and two sons at a table comprised of mixed professions and faiths to explain why more than one billion Muslims around the world practice the traditions during Ramadan, such as praying together and collectively blessing meals shared after sundown.
Last week, more than 500 guests attended an observance of the beginning of the Islamic holy season. Hosted by more than 35 Beaumont-affiliated physicians, guests had the unique opportunity to take part in the commemoration with family, friends and neighbors.
Ramadan usually takes place over the course of a month and signifies a time of fasting, reflection and prayer for the Muslim community. Those who practice the faith abstain from food and drink during daylight hours and break their fast together after sundown.
Zulfiqar Ahmed, M.D., a pediatric anesthesiologist at Beaumont, Dearborn, was one of more than 35 physicians who came together to host and fund the celebration recognizing the holy season. He was also the primary coordinator of the event.
“This is just one small way we can be hospitable and share this meaningful and sacred aspect of our faith with our colleagues and their families,” said Ahmed. “This time of reflection and abstinence is integral to how we think and what we do. Bringing people together has always been at the forefront of good Muslim practices. With all that’s going on in the world today, coming together to find common ground and looking forward to the future is more important than ever.”
With all that's going on in the world today, coming together to find common ground and looking forward to the future is more important than ever.
Dr. Ahmed
The discussion about the Muslim holy season included comments from Abdulrhaman El-Sayed, M.D., DPhil, keynote speaker and executive director and health officer of the Detroit Health Department.
Since many in attendance were medical and health care professionals, Dr. El-Sayed connected the importance of the practice of medicine and its significance in the Islamic faith and in the practice of Ramadan.
“Medicine is hard work, but wonderful work. It brings together a group of people united around a mission,” said Dr. El-Sayed. “The work we do is even more important when we can say ‘I will be here with you. I will do everything I can to make it better.”
He added, “In Islam the prescription to get to the secular is by fasting. We voluntarily forego food and water for 30 days because it’s an opportunity to forget the day-to-day routine, live in the moment and remember God. This helps us reflect on the importance of the work we do to help save lives and contribute to humanity overall.”
Nancy Susick, president of Beaumont Hospital, Troy, attended with her husband and son. She said her son and daughter are both pursuing careers in health care, and both have studied the impact and importance of cultural diversity.
“What better way to celebrate culture and diversity. In health care, it’s important we consider all of the communities we serve, and the patients we care for every day,” said Susick. “Being invited to the dinner inspired me to do research on my own to learn and to ask questions - and I learned much.”
In its fifth year, the privately organized celebration is driven by physicians and business leaders. Beaumont is one of several local sponsors. The Ramadan host committee is in the planning stages for 2017, and said the excess funds from this year’s event will go to benefit Beaumont Children’s through the Beaumont Foundation.