As an OB/GYN in the San Francisco Bay Area, I am constantly asked at parties, social gatherings, picnics, and other places I spend my free time for medical advice relating to women’s health. As a Muslim who’s grown up in the community in which I now practice, I am even more often asked questions specifically on personal medical questions and how they pertain to prayer, to fasting, to Hajj, etc.
I am always happy to be of service to the sisters around me but often think of those in communities without such access. Every now and then, I even get an email from a distant acquaintance in another state. I am sure there are many women out there who have questions. This is an attempt on my part, to be of some service in the very small niche I serve.
If you have a question you want to be answered on this blog, submit it here. Please respect the effort behind this blog, and reserve specific medical questions for your personal doctor.
Also, if you have suggestions for the Resources page, please let us know here.
About Us
A new resource for Muslim women with medical questions...
Sarah Azad, MD
Sarah Azad, MD
My interest in women’s health began with the mentorship of my mother, Arifa Azad, MD. Her commitment to her patients and the joy she received from her practice continue to serve as an inspiration and daily reminder of what it means to be an excellent physician. I regularly run into former patients of my mother and am afforded a glimpse into how much impact a good doctor can leave on her patients.
Having delivered my first baby while attending medical school at Saint Louis University, my first experience with gynecologic surgery followed shortly thereafter. I completed my residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center here in the Bay Area with training in the latest gynecological surgical techniques.
I find that I have the best job in the world. I care for women during the various stages of life. I have the honor of delivering babies and performing gynecologic surgeries. There is never a dull moment in my life, I love what I do!
I currently am in private practice in Mountain View, CA. For more information on my practice, visit www.ElCaminoWomen.com.
Anse Tamara Gray, Guest Author
Anse Tamara Gray is an educator with twenty years of experience in the Middle East. She has worked in private schools and institutions, in big cities and villages. She worked to publish culturally appropriate English Language programs, and to develop teacher-training workshops that would raise the level of teaching regionally. While she worked to bring quality education to women and children, she was also pursuing her own further education in classic Islamic studies.
Anse Tamara began an in depth study of the biography of the Prophet (s) with the professor whose book she would later help translate. She went on to study the Islamic subjects of hadeeth, tafseer, fiqh, aqeedah and others; which are the equivalent of a BA in Shariah. An ijazah (certificate) in Quran crowned her work in tajweed and she translated a book on that subject as well.
Anse Tamara is concerned about women’s issues and has begun a website – Rabata.org(meaning to tie together) – which is dedicated to building spiritual ties between women, the spiritual upbringing of women by women, and the establishment of the female voice in Islamic scholarship.
Some of her projects include: The Lina Project: a two day workshop that addressed the unique needs of female converts of all ‘ages’; Circles of Light: a variety of worship activities; and Ribaat; an on-line academic program that brings serious Islamic learning to women.
She has published a number of curriculum programs, blogs and articles, as well as the previously mentioned translated book. She has also sat on the editing board for Fiqh al Shafi’ and Stars in the Prophet’s Orbit.
Anse Tamara’s blogs and articles can be found at rabata.org and her services as an education consultant for Islamic schools can be sought at tlgeducation.com.
Imam Omar Suleiman, Guest Author
Imam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at SMU (Southern Methodist University). He is also the Resident Scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.
He holds a Bachelors in Accounting, a Bachelors in Islamic Law, a Masters in Islamic Finance, a Masters in Political History, and is currently pursuing a Phd. in Islamic Thought and Civilization from the International Islamic University of Malaysia.