By Mehdia Takbir, 4th year medical student at Curtin University
An Evening of Medicine, Morality, and Solidarity
On Wednesday 28 May 2025, the Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA) Western Australia Student Wing hosted a powerful and thought-provoking panel night titled “Gaza in Gauze: Voices Behind the Bandage” at UWA Woolnough Theatre. The event brought together students, doctors, and community members for an evening of ethical reflection, personal storytelling, and collective solidarity in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
At the heart of the evening was a pressing question: What does it mean to be a healthcare professional in the face of global injustice? Guests were invited to reflect on the intersection between medicine, morality, and advocacy.
Over 60 attendees were welcomed with refreshments before gathering in the lecture theatre at UWA. The event opened with a warm introduction by AIMA WA Student Wing Co-Presidents, Tawqeer Saiyed and Zahin Khan, who spoke about AIMA’s mission to foster connection, professional growth, and faith-driven service among Muslim healthcare students.
The program then began with a spoken word poem titled “Gauze,” written and performed by an AIMA student committee member, Mehdia Takbir. Interweaving themes of colonisation, medicine, and resistance, the poem set a reflective tone for the night.
Voices from the Frontline
Dr Lama Al Ramahi, surgical registrar and WA representative of PANZMA, was the first speaker of the night who opened with a compelling reflection on the ethical foundations of medicine. Drawing on the Hippocratic Oath, she challenged the audience to consider what it truly means to practise with integrity amid injustice.
Dr Lama shared her personal experience preparing for a medical mission to Gaza, only to be denied entry, and how she redirected her energy into local advocacy. Her message was clear: every individual can act, whether through protest, creative expression, or community service.
Dr Farah Abdul Aziz, a Perth-based surgeon, recounted her recent medical mission to Gaza (Dec 2024–Jan 2025). Working in Al Aqsa Hospital and other facilities in northern Gaza, she painted a stark picture of overwhelmed wards, crumbling infrastructure, and relentless bombardment. Her stories of courage and compassion revealed not only the devastating impact of sustained violence on Gaza’s healthcare system, but also the extraordinary resilience of its people, especially the healthcare workers who continue to serve under siege with unwavering dedication and humanity.
The audience then heard a pre-recorded message from Izzeddin “Ezz” Lulu, a 6th-year medical student from northern Gaza. His message struck a deeply emotional chord. Once a ‘normal’ student like those in the room, Ezz’s life was turned upside down by the siege. He stepped up and began volunteering in hospitals, providing critical care where he could. In honour of his late father, he founded the Samir Foundation to strengthen healthcare systems in Gaza. His resilience and determination served as a poignant reminder of the privileges many take for granted and the responsibility that comes with them.
The final speaker was Dr Tasnim Hasan, an infectious diseases and general medicine physician from Western Sydney, who joined the panel virtually via Microsoft Teams. Dr Hasan has extensive experience working in crisis zones through Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Having served in Uzbekistan, South Sudan, and Afghanistan, she shared her personal journey of getting involved in international medical missions – drawn by a deep commitment to providing care in some of the world’s most underserved and unstable regions.
Dr Hasan then reflected on her most recent deployment to Gaza, which proved to be unlike any of her previous missions. She had entered Gaza just before a fragile ceasefire was broken on March 18th, finding herself unexpectedly trapped as the conflict reignited. Her account gave powerful insight into the challenges of working in Gaza, where medical systems have broken down and even the principle of medical neutrality is routinely violated.
Panel Discussion: From Awareness to Action
A panel discussion followed the speaker presentations, giving students an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. Questions touched on humanitarian medicine, the role of advocacy, and ethical responsibility. Speakers emphasised the importance of building not only clinical excellence, but also emotional resilience and a long-term commitment to serving communities both local and global. The discussion reframed medicine as a moral vocation: a life of service, not just a profession.
The night concluded with remarks from Dr Fahad Ashraf, president of AIMA WA, who urged students to transform reflections from the night into action and carry the evening’s insights beyond the room.
Final Reflection
‘Gaza in Gauze’ was more than an evening of reflection – it kindled a profound sense of purpose, awakened collective conscience, and reminded future healthcare professionals of the power their voices hold. In the face of ongoing injustice, it challenged attendees to see their roles not only as clinicians but as compassionate advocates for humanity. As echoed in the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Geneva, recited that night: “I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity.” This solemn vow is a timeless call to remember that the duty to heal is inseparable from the commitment to stand in solidarity with those who suffer: a principle at the heart of both medicine and faith.
