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The First International Conference on Islamic Medicine
THE IOMS ACHIEVEMENTS FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE |
During its relatively short duration, the Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences has managed to achieve a number of the main objectives mentioned in its Constitution. Through persistent efforts, it is working hard towards achieving all those objectives for the attainment of the desired aim and the noble purpose to which it aspires.
The realization of the IOMS objectives has been effected at international, Islamic and local levels through conferences, symposia and cooperation with international, regional and local bodies and organizations.
The International Conferences on Islamic Medicine held outside Kuwait, which is the permanent base of the IOMS, aims to propagate the idea of reviving the Islamic medical tradition in the countries hosting these conferences.
Another aim is to bring together men of medical sciences, Islamic jurisprudence and the humanities to discuss subjects related to medical jurisprudence and medical innovations through the presented papers and studies.
These conferences also discuss applied aspects of Islamic medicine, whether preventive or therapeutic.
From these gatherings which encourage those working in the above fields and increase the number of people interested in them, many results can be reached that will be of the greatest benefit to the Islamic community.
Under the auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the First International Conference on Islamic Medicine was held during the period from Rabiul Awwal 6 to Rabiul Awwal 10, 1401 Hijri (Jan. 12 to Jan. 16, 1981) within the framework of Kuwait’s celebrations of the advent of the Hijri Fifteenth century.
This First Conference witnessed a unique gathering of distinguished scholars, scientists, physicians and researchers. The presented papers and ensuing discussions were not confined to the traditional aspect, but also covered the applied medical sciences, legal aspects and medical ethics referred to in the Holy Writ and the Prophet’s Sunna.
The papers read in the conference included the subject of Islamic Medicine with special emphasis on its definition and how medicine is viewed by Islam.
A lecture was given about the position of Muslim Scientists in the history of medicine. A seminar was also held about Ibn Sina: the physician, the philosopher and the scientist.
A number of papers were read about the Islamic Medicine from a historical perspective.
The conference did not neglect the history of the medical heritage, medical education during the Islamic ages and the distinguished men of Islamic Medicine.
The conference cast light on the applied studies about means of treatment mentioned in the Quran and Sunna. It also pointed out the accomplishments of Muslim physicians and expounded the therapeutic methods followed in Islamic Medicine.
A special seminar was held on the philosophy of Islamic Medicine.
Some papers presented to the conference were focussed on the nature and application of medical ethics as well as on mental health in the light of Islamic teachings.
The First Conference culminated in the issuance, of Kuwait’s Project for a Code of Islamic Medical Ethics. The contents of the project included:
This First Conference witnessed a unique gathering of distinguished scholars, scientists, physicians and researchers. The presented papers and ensuing discussions were not confined to the traditional aspect, but also covered the applied medical sciences, legal aspects and medical ethics referred to in the Holy Writ and the Prophet’s Sunna.
The papers read in the conference included the subject of Islamic Medicine with special emphasis on its definition and how medicine is viewed by Islam.
A lecture was given about the position of Muslim Scientists in the history of medicine. A seminar was also held about Ibn Sina: the physician, the philosopher and the scientist.
A number of papers were read about the Islamic Medicine from a historical perspective.
The conference did not neglect the history of the medical heritage, medical education during the Islamic ages and the distinguished men of Islamic Medicine.
The conference cast light on the applied studies about means of treatment mentioned in the Quran and Sunna. It also pointed out the accomplishments of Muslim physicians and expounded the therapeutic methods followed in Islamic Medicine.
A special seminar was held on the philosophy of Islamic Medicine.
Some papers presented to the conference were focussed on the nature and application of medical ethics as well as on mental health in the light of Islamic teachings.
The First Conference culminated in the issuance, of Kuwait’s Project for a Code of Islamic Medical Ethics. The contents of the project included:
- Defining the medical profession and the medical practitioner .
- Doctor-doctor relationship. Doctor-patient relationship.
- Keeping the profession confidentials.
- The doctor’s duties during war.
- Sacredness of human life.
- The doctor’s responsibilities.
- The doctor and the society.
- The doctor’s attitude towards scientific research and its modern findings.
Medical education.
The oath taken by doctors. The First Conference ended up by issuing recommendations and resolutions. One of these expressed appreciation of Kuwait’s initiative in calling for and hosting the conference. Another provided for holding further conferences periodically in the Islamic World. Other recommendations called for linking the Islamic nation to its tradition especially in the medical and scientific fields; encouraging the studyof the Islamic medical and scientific fields; encouraging the study of the Islamic medical heritage and work on scientific, empirical, clinical and laboratorial research; appealing to the specialists to cast lights of truth on the history of Islamic Civilization; the necessity that medical education courses should include the study of Islam and of the history of Islamic medicine; the adoption of Kuwait’s Project for a Code of Islamic Medical Ethics; and the formation of an Islamic Council for studying scientific innovations.