Sept. 1995 Muslim Health Fair During the ISNA Convention

by Tahseen Naiyer

The Muslim community of Columbus, Ohio has grown rapidly during the last ten years. Many great events have taken place in the history of our community. The purchase of the Omar Ibn-el-Khattab mosque, and the formation of ISGC are just a few of those landmarks. And the plans of the Islamic Center to build an Islamic School and the mosque at Sunbury point to a bright future. The 32nd ISNA convention, Inshallah, will also be a landmark in the history of the Muslim community of Columbus, Ohio. We are honored, proud and thankful to Allah (SWT) who has provided us with this unique opportunity to be a part of ISNA convention.

Dr. Mohamed Shareef is a well-known brother in our community. Allah (SWT) has blessed him with many talents. For the first time and with the approval of ISNA, Dr. Shareef and his colleagues will be providing first aid and a Muslim health fair during the convention. It will be an opportunity to meet with experienced physicians, cardiologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, and expert medical technicians, all in one place. We will not have to run from one doctor to another, or from one lab to the next. We are thankful to our medical community, to the physicians, nurses, and health care providers, who are devoting their time and efforts in providing this important service. The cardiac stress testing is going to be an unusual part of this fair. It is done as part of the VIP screening health check-up in the physician's office or hospitals. Dr. Nayyer Shareef will also be providing mammography for a very small fee to cover the cost of the lab work.

Another important feature of this health fair will be a Red Cross blood Donation Drive. Muslims are the torch bearers of humankind. It is our obligation to show to the world that we not only care about our own community, but that we also care for the whole of the human race. the red Cross Blood Donation Drive and the Cancer screenings, provided by the Arthur James Cancer Institute's mobile mammography unit, will allow the Muslim community to show on a national level its commitment to participate in a positive way in the life and health care of this nation.

Some of the other important features of this health fair will be free basic check-ups, blood sugar and cholesterol testing, stress testing (heart check-up), breathing tests, and bone marrow registry.

Due to the blessing of Allah (SWT) mankind is finding cures for cancer. Once considered so deadly, we are now able to successfully combat it with early detection. Breast cancer among women and prostate cancer are common occurrences these days. Unfortunately, most of our brothers and sisters do not have proper access to medical facilities. The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has said that a strong Muslim is better than a weak Muslim but both are good. He had also said that for every disease, Allah (SWT) has given a cure. Our body and life are amana form Allah (SWT), and He will ask us how well we cared for it on the Day of Judgment. We should be thankful to Allah (SWT) that He is providing us with this unique opportunity to care for our health.

However, there will be some cost involved for this project. There is no fee for service, but there will be very minimal cost for usage of material. This affordable fee has been fixed for the blood cholesterol testing at $4.00 and for mammography at $60 (conventional). There might be other charges if necessary.
Criteria for screening of tests....