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November 2025

BIMA Pulse

Welcome to BIMA Pulse

Assalamu alaikum and a warm welcome to the November edition of BIMA Pulse. As we head towards the end of the year, this issue brings together powerful stories and real-world impact: from our advocacy report on standing up for Muslim healthcare professionals, to inspiring community-led initiatives on mental health and cancer support. Whether you’re navigating your career, wanting to support progress in the NHS and beyond, or simply looking to reconnect with the BIMA community — there’s something here for you.

November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) and this year’s theme is “Flip the Script”. BIMA has continued to deliver webinars focused on the real experiences of patients and healthcare colleagues working across the NHS. These sessions have created space for reflection, learning, and shared understanding.

At a time when Islamophobia is surging across media, politics, and public life, it remains unchallenged and without consequence for those who espouse such abhorrent views. The impact on Muslims feels heavier and more personal. These attitudes affect our individual and collective confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. They also shape workplace culture influencing how people experience healthcare, both as patients and as professionals.

Listening to our members remains central to the work of the Advocacy team. Your voices guide our priorities and strengthen our reach. Your experiences inform our engagement with decision makers and policy leads. I would encourage all members to complete the BIMA Islamophobia survey. The insight gathered plays a direct role in shaping our actions within BIMA and across the wider health system stakeholders so we can positively influence change for our communities.

These are not easy times. When our identity is misrepresented or weaponised, it takes an emotional toll. Yet there is also strength in our community, in shared purpose, and in being heard. We remain committed to justice, dignity, and hope. Together, we continue to speak up, to support one another, and to flip the script.

Dr Shehla Imitiaz-Umer
Director BIMA Advocacy Team

Upcoming Events

British Muslim Health Awards

Join us on Saturday 13 December at the Quaid-E-Azam Grand Ballroom in Birmingham for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, recognition, and celebration.

Together, we’ll honour the remarkable individuals who are driving positive change and shaping the future of healthcare within our communities.

Guests will enjoy a three-course meal, live entertainment, and valuable opportunities to connect with healthcare leaders from across the country. This promises to be a truly inspiring night as we celebrate those making a lasting impact in the field of health and wellbeing.

ACE Your Pharmacy Career Returns

BIMA’s ACE Your Pharmacy Career event is back on Saturday 6th December 2025, running from 10:15am to 4:30pm in London. 

The day will involve speakers with great experience in various sectors of pharmacy. They will be sharing their experiences and top tips for career progression. There will also be the opportunity for networking throughout the day.

ACE: Exploring the Nursery and Midwifery Path

Whether you’re newly registered or an experienced nurse or midwife, your journey in Nursing & Midwifery doesn’t stop at the ward.

Join BIMA’s webinar: Your Care, Your Career, and hear from nurses who’ve carved their own inspiring paths.

Date: Sunday 21st December 2025

Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Location: Online

ACE: Dental Career Pathways

Eager to know what's beyond your Dental Foundation Training? Join us for our FREE Dental Career Pathways webinar in January!

We have an incredible calibre of speakers lined up to share their expertise across a wide range of dental career pathways from Oral Surgery to Periodontology. CPD certificates will be given out!

Date: Saturday 24th January 2026

Time: 10:00am - 1:30pm
Location: Online

Blog Post

Mindsavers: Rebuilding an Emotionally Balanced, Thriving Ummah — One Pillar at a Time

For centuries, Muslim communities led the way in holistic wellbeing — yet today, stigma and silence leave many struggling alone. BIMA’s Mindsavers programme is helping change that narrative by reconnecting our communities with timeless Islamic guidance and practical mental health tools.

Delivered in mosques and community spaces, Mindsavers brings together lived experience, healthcare expertise, and faith-based wisdom to explore what balanced wellbeing truly looks like. From learning why “it’s okay not to be okay” to understanding the emotional resilience of our Prophets, the programme introduces five powerful pillars that anyone can begin applying today.

Read the full blog to explore all five pillars and how to start your wellbeing journey.

November at a Glance

Take part in our Islamophobia Survey

Thank you to everyone who has completed our National Survey on Islamophobia in Healthcare. If you haven’t yet shared your experience, please do — your voice directly informs our policy work.

Previous surveys have been referenced in research, the media, legal tribunals, and government inquiries.

BIMA Advocacy Report out now

Over the past year, BIMA’s Advocacy Team has championed the rights, representation, and well-being of Muslim healthcare workers in the UK and beyond.

From addressing Islamophobia and ethical debates such as Assisted Dying to advocating for global health justice and support for Gaza’s healthcare workers, our work continues to centre on fairness, ethics, and inclusion across healthcare.

Support Those Silenced for Speaking Out

Across the NHS, Muslim healthcare professionals have faced: censorship, disciplinary action, regulatory referrals, discrimination, penalties simply for showing compassion and speaking out on humanitarian issues.

BIMA stands with them, offering advocacy, legal, and emotional support to those targeted for their conscience and ethics.

Your donation helps protect their voices. 

Mindsavers Rollout

You heard about the strong start of our mindsavers program in the last newsletter and alhumdulilah since then it is got from strength to strength.

We have had an incredible month of open conversations in masjids and community centres up and down the country coming together to improve our mental health and well-being, in a way rooted in our faith, as individuals and as communities. 

There are still some workshops available. Sign up below:

Living With and Beyond Cancer

Earlier this month, Unity FM Friday Drive Show explored what it means to live with and beyond thyroid cancer.

Afia shared her personal story of diagnosis, treatment, and hope which reminded us that cancer isn’t just a medical journey but a human one. This conversation highlighted resilience, awareness, and the importance of support at every stage.

Become a Paying Member

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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