ISLAMBERG- Recent graduate and Family Nurse Practitioner Mrs. Bilqees Abdallah, a member of the International Quranic Open University (IQOU) and Muslims of America (MOA), seeks to open an independent clinic for family care and midwifery services. She shares her story: “My interest in the medical field began in 1998 after sustaining many injuries from a tragic car accident. The doctors, surgeons, nurses, physical therapist and medical assistants who tended to me were proficient, kind, and caring during this very helpless time in my life. It was during this experience that I decide wanted to care for people, tending to the sick and vulnerable, as my caretakers had done for me. After much hard work and dedication, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. As a registered nurse (RN) I worked in a variety of settings including a cancer unit, a surgical ward and patient’s homes to care for chronically ill patients.
In 2005, an earthquake struck South Asia. As a result many people were injured, homes and businesses were destroyed, and many families were displaced without shelter, food, clothes or medical care. I was invited by the Vice Chancellor of International Quranic Open University (IQOU), El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, to participate in relief efforts with a group named the American Muslim Medical Relief Team (AMMRT). This group was organized quickly and was composed of doctors, nurses and medical assistants who left their homes, jobs and families to embark on a journey to provide medical relief to the people of South Asia. For almost three long months, with little time to eat or sleep, the AMMRT provided non-stop, unbiased medical care from the Ayyub Medical Complex to the South Asian people. AMMRT distributed food, blankets, clothing, medicines and medical supplies which had been provided by the Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor, who sponsored the relief effort, acknowledged that our services to the people, then and even now, would not be overlooked in the eyesight of Allah, the Most High. Since then, the AMMRT has successfully contributed to the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a major flood in Upstate New York in 2006, and other disaster ravaged areas.
Following my work with the American Muslim Medical Relief Team, the Vice Chancellor took personal interest in my studies and successes and avidly encouraged me to elevate my goals and expectations in life. Within a year after returning home I entered school to pursue a Masters degree as a Nurse Practitioner. I struggled through part-time studies in order to balance my life as a wife, a mother of two children and an active member of the Muslims of America’s (MOA) community. With the help of Allah, the Most High, encouragement, inspiration and support from the Vice Chancellor as well as many family, friends and members of MOA, I graduated in May 2009 with a Masters degree in Nursing earning the title of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). As an FNP, I am licensed to provide primary health care to individuals of all ages, diagnose, treat, manage and evaluate acute and chronic illnesses and injuries, offer prenatal/postnatal services, prescribe medications, order diagnostic studies such as x-rays and refer patients to other specialty practices. I am very happy as an American Muslim lady to have succeeded without compromising or altering my beliefs, dress or devotion in response to the conflicting pressures sustained while living in a non-Muslim society.”
After graduation, Ms. Abdallah pursued the necessary certification testing to obtain a license as an FNP demonstrating her competency as a medical provider. Passing the state board comprehensive exam prepared Ms. Abdallah to fulfill her latest challenge; she plans to open a clinic with a focus on midwifery and other specialty services as encouraged by the Vice Chancellor.
Fundraising efforts have already begun in support of this worthy humanitarian assignment. Those wishing to contribute to this effort may contact Ms. Abdallah directly at [email protected].
