On Sunday 3 August 2025, the Muslim healthcare community came together for the “Beyond the White Coat” forum at Griffith University Gold Coast Campus. This collaborative afternoon event was jointly organised by the Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA), Griffith University Muslim Student Association (GUMSA), and University of Queensland Muslimah Association (UQ Muslimah). The forum brought together 70 healthcare professionals and students for an in-depth exploration of faith, identity, and purpose in medical practice.
The forum opened with a Qur’an recitation by Nabeel Dean, a third-year Dental Technology/Prosthetics student, setting a reflective tone for the afternoon’s discussions. The collaborative nature of the event was immediately evident as representatives from each organising body shared updates on their recent initiatives. Areej Abro provided insights into UQ Muslimah’s recent events, while Samar Hamadiya showcased GUMSA’s past activities. AIMA Queensland Secretary and QLD Student Lead, Mustafa Hamimi, then detailed AIMA’s nationwide initiatives, programs, and extensive outreach efforts, highlighting the organisation’s growing impact across Australia.
The heart of the forum centred on deeply personal presentations from five distinguished Muslim healthcare professionals, each offering unique perspectives on navigating their medical careers through the lens of Islamic faith and identity. Dr Maureen Khan, AIMA Queensland Sunshine Coast Lead and Emergency Department physician, shared her multifaceted journey as a mother, internationally trained doctor, and her experiences within hospital work environments. Her candid reflections resonated particularly with the many students and professionals working in hospital environments in attendance.
Dr Emad Abro, AIMA Queensland Executive Member and National Advocacy Member, provided compelling insights into his journey toward becoming a haematologist, emphasising how he approached his medical career through a faith-based lens. His presentation highlighted the integration of Islamic principles in medical practice, offering valuable insights into possible ethical challenges for students considering various medical specialties.
The forum’s diversity of perspectives was further enriched by Dr Liz Elder, a Head Emergency Department nurse, who shared her unique experiences as a revert Muslim wearing hijab in healthcare settings. Her presentation provided crucial insights into the challenges and triumphs of practicing Islam openly in healthcare environments, addressing questions many attendees had about maintaining Islamic identity in professional settings.
Dr Suzan Elharmeel, an accomplished Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, provided profound insights into Islamic intention and character development within medical practice. She emphasised being strong in Islamic values, prayer, and hijab, offering attendees practical wisdom about maintaining faith while practising in a demanding specialty.
Dr Tasleen Khan, a general dentist, concluded the speaker presentations by sharing his personal journey and experiences within the dental profession, candidly discussing the unique challenges dentists face throughout their careers. His presentation provided attendees with practical insights into dental practice and the profession’s distinct considerations.
The afternoon culminated in a dynamic panel discussion guided entirely by audience questions and engagement. Attendees actively participated, creating an interactive dialogue between the speakers and the diverse audience of healthcare students and practising professionals. This format allowed for deep exploration of specific challenges, practical advice, and personal reflections that went well beyond formal presentations.
The afternoon’s discussions successfully achieved the forum’s core objective of exploring the journeys, challenges, and personal reflections of Muslim healthcare professionals, moving beyond clinical roles to address fundamental questions of identity, purpose, and impact. The diverse range of speakers ensured that multiple perspectives were represented, from international graduates to converts, from emergency medicine to specialised practice, from nursing to surgical specialties, and from general dentistry to various medical fields.
The successful event demonstrated the value of collaboration between Queensland MSA and AIMA networks in fostering meaningful dialogue about Islamic identity in healthcare professions and providing mentorship opportunities for the next generation of Muslim healthcare professionals.ou there inshaAllah.
