This is my first BMA blog since my term as chair of the representative body came to an end last summer. Blogs were one of my favourite ways of communicating with the membership and I enjoyed the conversations they opened up with you.
Early on in my term I blogged and spoke about faith, something that does not always feel safe in today’s sometimes hostile and divisive environment. However, representation matters, and as the first Muslim chief officer in the BMA’s 200-year history, it felt important to normalise talking about faith, to bring awareness to challenges we can all face and to celebrate the benefits faith brings to our NHS and the importance of allowing everyone to be their true self at work.
In this blog I want to talk about two calendar dates that I hold dearly: Ramadan and IWD (International Women’s Day). This year they overlap, which is not always the case as Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar and changes each year. The timing has led me to reflect on some of their entwining messages. Both are rooted in community; there is power and comfort in having people across the globe engaged in the same actions.
You get added strength when you’re fasting knowing that others are going through the same thing, and someone on the other side of the world is having the same debate on the perfect amount of water to drink and filling up on carbs during suhur (the meal eaten pre-dawn before beginning the fast).
IWD also has a great sense of community. Its existence is dependent on people across the world joining together with the same ambition of reaching gender equality. The campaigns to tackle gender-based violence, fair pay and equal human rights can feel overwhelming. IWD reminds us that there are so many people working towards the same goal, which provides much-needed motivation. Both occasions are also moments of reflection, gratitude and empathy for those who are facing challenges and difficulties.
This year is particularly hard for Muslims and women across the globe as we face increasing conflict in a number of areas but, as I write this blog, I am listening to the harrowing events unfolding in the Middle East.
The theme of this year’s IWD is ‘Give to gain’. It aims to demonstrate that, when we give money, time or other resources, opportunities for women increase, particularly for the most vulnerable.
This year we have witnessed the regression of women’s rights, the destruction of maternity services in conflict zones, and the disproportionate effect of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis on women. It feels this theme is greatly needed.
The message mirrors one of the five pillars of Islam, zakat – giving to those in need. Giving is one of the parts of Ramadan my two young children can participate in. My daughter is now old enough to understand the news and aware of the amount of suffering that is taking place around the world. She will often ask me why these things happen and what she can do to help.
In response to these types of simple and important questions children ask, I explain that it’s important to give where you can and be thankful for what you have. Like many Muslims' homes, we have a charity money box in our house that she loves to contribute to, and she turns to her faith and brings those people into her prayers. These actions make her feel better.
We reflect on what we are grateful for: food, family and toys. We reflect on what all children should have: food and water, a family to look after them, somewhere safe to sleep. We reflect on the importance of talking about the hardships others are facing, our fears, understanding what we can do and how talking and challenging might help those who do make the decisions make the right decisions.
Speaking out when things aren’t right is important. Supporting those who are in need is important. Continuing to speak out is important (IWD happens every year!). And most of all, doing what you can to help is important. And ultimately, lifting others up brings benefit to everyone – we all gain.
If you are able to support women this IWD and every day – please do. Whether it’s helping a colleague raise a concern, encouraging women to stand for roles or supporting or voting for women. There are more women doctors in the UK than men. Supporting women isn’t just the right thing to do, it is a necessity for the future of our NHS.
Muslims this month will likely be fasting. You may be able to support them with taking their breaks particularly around fast opening and closing times. Similarly with prayer times. Many may be affected by the various conflicts across the globe. Giving them a safe space to talk and practise their faith is important. When individuals are able to bring their whole true selves to work, they are likely to feel psychologically safe and work better.
Supporting others who are facing difficulties is important. Not just today or this month but always. If like my daughter, we all asked ‘how can I help them?’, perhaps the world would be a better place for us all.
Latifa Patel is a specialty trainee 7 paediatric respiratory resident doctor and immediate past chair of the representative body