It’s an honour to write to you with all that’s happening in BIMA this month…
Of course, Ramadan is in sight, a familiar guest is drawing near. So as our intentions sharpen, let’s turn towards action.
With that, I’m delighted to bring you the headlines from a very active BIMA. From Glasgow Conference 2026 tickets now live (early bird available until 17 February), to Xceed Day for our students, and the continued growth of our Ramadan work including Ramadan Reset 2026 and the recent International Colloquium on Ramadan & Health.
BIMA is only as strong as the community behind it. These gatherings are where we learn together and meet sincere people doing excellent work across the UK. I have no doubt Glasgow will be that feel. If you’re thinking of coming, then it will be wonderful to see you there in person inshaAllah. And as always, we’re in need of your support and duas. Please do read ahead to see all that’s been going on!
Dr Qasim Javed
Chair of BIMA Council
Upcoming Events
January 2026
BIMA Conference 2026
BIMA National Conference 2026 offers a unique, high-impact weekend for Muslim healthcare professionals from across the UK. This flagship event will feature world-class speakers and a rich programme of keynote plenaries, workshops, and immersive sessions focused on wellbeing, professional growth, and evidence-based practice. Beyond the learning, it’s a powerful opportunity to build meaningful connections with peers and mentors over a dedicated networking dinner, and to enjoy the inspiring natural beauty of Scotland on the Sunday day trip to Loch Lomond — blending professional development with community, reflection, and rejuvenation.
Discounted Early bird tickets are available till 17th February 2026.
Abstract submissions are now open for the BIMA National Conference 2026 Poster Competition, showcasing research and academic work from the Muslim community.
Top scoring abstracts will be invited to give a flash talk at the conference.
Join BIMA in Birmingham for an exclusive fireside discussion hosted by Dr Shehla Imtiaz-Umer with renowned journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi, as we explore what it means to speak with conviction in an age of pressure, polarisation, and public scrutiny.
This closed dinner event, designed especially for those working in healthcare, aims to motivate, empower, and inspire.
Together, we’ll reflect on what it takes to speak truth to power while navigating complex systems, public expectations, and the moral weight of our work.
Friday, 13 February 2026 | 6pm - 10pm Tipu Sultan, Birmingham, 43 Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8AA
This is an intimate gathering for our network and friends, seating is limited, so secure your place early.
(Use code: sh-100off at checkout to get your free ticket. You must login using your registered email address with BIMA)
Xceed Day is BIMA’s flagship national conference for Muslim healthcare students - bringing together aspiring clinicians from across the UK to inspire ambition, strengthen identity, and build lasting professional networks.
Through practical learning, reflection, and connection with peers and role models, the conference focuses on personal growth, career development, and making meaningful impact within healthcare and beyond.
Saturday 14 February | 9am - 5pm University of Birmingham
BIMA is partnering with the Greater Manchester Infant Male Circumcision (IMC) Quality Assurance Programme for the second annual national Infant Male Circumcision Conference.
This joint event brings together current and prospective community circumcision providers to share best practice, support quality improvement, and promote safe, high-quality provision for families.
CPD certificates will be provided.
Tuesday 4 February 2026 | 5:30pm - 9pm British Muslim Heritage Centre, Manchester
Ramadan Reset 2026 is a student-centred initiative developed through collaboration between the BIMA Ramadan team and the Federation of Islamic Societies (FOSIS), with a strong emphasis on co-production and peer-led health education.
A core feature of the project is that many of the resources have been designed by students, for students, ensuring that content is relevant, accessible and grounded in lived experience. Muslim healthcare students and society leaders have played a key role in shaping the materials, supported by clinicians and academics to ensure accuracy and evidence-based messaging.
The collaboration with FOSIS has enabled Ramadan Reset to reach university campuses nationally, with the release of free public-facing resources including a Ramadan health journal, toolkits, recipes, healthy habits guides, and a 30-day Ramadan Reset challenge. Together, these resources aim to empower students and young adults to make informed, sustainable health choices during Ramadan while balancing study, work and wellbeing.
Cancer Awareness Event
The BIMA Cancer Team is proud to announce our University Awareness Event on World Cancer Day – Wednesday 4th February 2026, hosted at Aston University in collaboration with Aston Islamic Medical Society and Teenage Cancer Trust.
This event will focus on raising awareness of cancers affecting teenagers and young adults, highlighting the importance of early awareness, education, and support. Please share this poster far and wide, and apply using the link below.
Tackling Health Inequalities in Peterborough’s Muslim Community – A Local Success with National Promise!
Health inequalities persist as a pressing issue across the UK, disproportionately affecting ethnic minority communities. Amongst these, South Asian and Black populations experience significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Many of these disease are largely preventable through community-level intervention and culturally-sensitive education.
In Peterborough, a pioneering community-based initiative is making tangible progress in addressing these health inequalities. The Peterborough story demonstrates what’s possible when health education is delivered by the community, for the community. With continued research, funding, and institutional support, this approach could reshape how preventive healthcare is delivered across the UK, reaching the underserved, addressing inequality, and ultimately saving lives.
This latest issue continues JBIMA’s commitment to thoughtful scholarship, professional reflection, and contributions at the intersection of faith, ethics, and healthcare practice.
JBIMA welcomes submissions from across our community. If you would like to contribute an article, opinion piece, or original research, please contact the Journal Secretary at jbima@britishima.org.
We encourage members to read, share, and contribute to this growing body of work.
BIMA Writes to DHSC And MHCLG on Safe Infant Male Circumcision
BIMA has written to the DHSC And MHCLG to highlight the work already being done to ensure infant male circumcision is safe and ongoing work to ensure high standards of quality and governance.
BIMA hosted its first International Colloquium on Ramadan & Health on 25 January 2026, welcoming 247 healthcare professionals, academics and community stakeholders from across the UK and internationally. Organised by the BIMA Ramadan team and supported by NHS England, Diabetes UK and Glaucoma UK, the event provided a multidisciplinary platform to explore evidence-based, culturally sensitive clinical care for patients who fast during Ramadan.
The programme brought together national and international experts to address key clinical and public health topics, including Ramadan and public health, women’s health, physical activity, gastroenterology, cardiovascular and renal disease, and patient perspectives. Speakers shared practical insights to support clinicians in real-world decision-making and highlighted the importance of shared decision-making, prevention, and culturally competent care.
The colloquium also showcased BIMA’s wider Ramadan Reset programme, which includes healthcare professional education, community health sessions in mosques and faith-based settings, and a collaboration with the Federation of Islamic Societies (FOSIS) to deliver free public-facing resources such as a Ramadan health journal, toolkits, recipes, healthy habits guides, and a 30-day Ramadan Reset challenge.
BIMA|MCB present the Ramadan Health Factsheet 2026
This is aimed at NHS and care service leads, managers and frontline staff to make them aware of this important religious obligation and understand how its observance may effect patient care and staffing needs.
On 24 January 2026, BIMA hosted a highly successful Dental Careers webinar, bringing together over 30 attendees for an evening of insight, inspiration, and practical guidance.
We were honoured to be joined by outstanding speakers, including Dr Tariq Bashir and Dr Adrian Thorp, incoming President of the British Society for Oral Surgery, whose expertise and reflections sparked thoughtful discussion and strong engagement throughout the session.
The webinar also marked an important first for BIMA’s ACE Dental team, with attendees receiving verifiable CPD certificates fully compliant with GDC requirements — a significant step forward in our professional offering.
An exciting year lies ahead for the ACE Dental team, and this event set the tone perfectly.
First Virtual Mindsavers Workshop
We were delighted to conclude our highly successful Mindsavers 2025 series with our first ever virtual Mindsavers workshop, a bespoke mental health programme tailored specifically for Muslims.
Building on the momentum of our in-person masjid workshops held throughout the year, this online session allowed us to reach an even wider audience while maintaining a safe, faith-centred space for meaningful discussion and learning.
The workshop was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, and notably, almost one third of participants shared that they would not have sought this support through mainstream services, highlighting barriers such as the lack of culturally and faith-sensitive mental health provision. This powerful feedback reinforces the importance and impact of providing culturally and spiritually informed mental health initiatives within our communities.
Successful Proactive Mental Health Webinar for University Students
We were pleased to host our first collaborative webinar between the BIMA Mental Health and Student teams, focusing on the mental health and wellbeing of Muslim university students. This timely and important discussion was held in the context of recent tragic cases that have deeply affected our communities, highlighting the urgent need for open, informed, and compassionate conversations around mental health.
The session explored key challenges faced by students, the role of faith and community support, and practical ways to seek and offer help. We were encouraged by the strong engagement from participants, with thoughtful questions and reflections demonstrating a clear appetite for continued dialogue and action in this vital area.
FIMA MindCare Webinar
The inaugural webinar of MindCare, a new FIMA global initiative which BIMA is a central part of, marked an exciting and impactful beginning, attracting over 200 healthcare professionals from across the world.
Timed thoughtfully ahead of the upcoming month of Ramadan, the session explored a fascinating and highly relevant topic: the neuroscience behind fasting and its positive effects on brain function. The webinar offered clear, evidence-based explanations of how fasting can enhance cognitive clarity, emotional regulation, and overall brain health, bridging modern neuroscience with spiritual and lifestyle practices.
The strong engagement and enthusiastic response reflected the growing global interest in mental well-being and set a powerful tone for MindCare’s future programmes.
BIMA Annual Report 2025
BIMA Annual Report 2025 is now available, capturing a defining year of growth, impact, and renewed purpose across our organisation.
In 2025, BIMA strengthened its role as the professional home and representative voice for Muslim healthcare professionals in the UK. From large-scale community projects and national advocacy to record-breaking events and a growing membership, the report reflects a year of meaningful progress - and looks ahead to our future priorities as we continue to serve with clarity, conviction, and unity.
Thank you to our members and supporters for what we have achieved together.
Become a paying member today to help BIMA continue to do amazing work and become eligible for special discounts.
Join BIMA Whatsapp groups
There are 40+ BIMA professional and regional WhatsApp groups that you can benefit from. These groups are a chance to network and discuss topical issues with colleagues in your professional area(s) and/or region.
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