CNN
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Event for Gaza Awareness in Rochester NY
Dr. Ismail Mehr
Talks about his experience with the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Brian Lenzo
Talks about American responsibility for and support of the violence in Palestine
Ryan Acuff
Talks about University of Rochester students efforts to stop University funding of war and occupation
March 6 2009
7PM
First Unitarian Church of Rochester
220 Winton Rd S
Rochester, NY 14610
Map It
Sponsored by Rochester Against War
info@rochesteragainstwar.org
Facilitated by Judith Bello
Talks about his experience with the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Brian Lenzo
Talks about American responsibility for and support of the violence in Palestine
Ryan Acuff
Talks about University of Rochester students efforts to stop University funding of war and occupation
March 6 2009
7PM
First Unitarian Church of Rochester
220 Winton Rd S
Rochester, NY 14610
Map It
Sponsored by Rochester Against War
info@rochesteragainstwar.org
Facilitated by Judith Bello
Friday, February 27, 2009
Doctor to Describe Aiding Palestinians in Gaza
Maki Becker of the Buffalo News reports:
Dr. Ismail Mehr, an anesthesiologist at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, led a team of American doctors into Gaza following Israel’s incursion into the Palestinian territory late last year.
Tonight, he is scheduled to speak at an event in Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in the Town of Lancaster to raise money for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, which is aiding the children of Gaza.
The fundraiser is sponsored by University at Buffalo Arab Students, the UB Muslim Student Association and the Western New York Peace Center.
Mehr said his team of 11 doctors and two nonmedical personnel, many of them members of Islamic Medical Association of America, were the only Americans allowed into Gaza following Israel’s three-week offensive, which began after militants in Gaza fired rockets into southern Israel.
A veteran of treating mass casualties in major disasters, Mehr said being in Gaza was especially disturbing, not because he is a Muslim but because “the whole situation there is a man-made situation, on both sides,” referring to both Israel and the Palestinian territories.
“I’ve gone to Banda Aceh [following the 2004 tsunami], to Kashmir; those are all acts of God or acts of nature,” he said. “But when it’s a man-made conflict, as a human being, a physician, it’s really disturbing.”
Mehr, like other members of the American Medical Mission to Gaza, is adamant about keeping politics out of the work.
“We were purely apolitical— humanitarian,” he said. “We didn’t care who our patients were. You ended up consumed by the situation. We just did our work.”
Mehr’s team was in Gaza from Jan. 21 until Jan. 31.
“Most of our team dealt with trauma and infection of trauma injuries that weren’t taken care of right away,” Mehr said.
He wasn’t faulting the doctors who had been trying to care for the patients.
“When you’re having 200 people an hour coming to your emergency room — there isn’t a hospital in the U. S. that can handle that kind of volume. The injuries included burns and wounds that required amputations,” Mehr said.
Mehr said he couldn’t help but notice what he believed were the consequences of the two-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on Gaza.
“What really caught us by surprise were the effects of the embargo,” he said. “We ended up taking care of people who were not just injured from the war, but were dying of cancer and chronic illnesses who couldn’t be treated because they didn’t have the medicines and didn’t have the medical expertise.”
mbecker@buffnews.com
Dr. Ismail Mehr, an anesthesiologist at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, led a team of American doctors into Gaza following Israel’s incursion into the Palestinian territory late last year.
Tonight, he is scheduled to speak at an event in Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in the Town of Lancaster to raise money for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, which is aiding the children of Gaza.
The fundraiser is sponsored by University at Buffalo Arab Students, the UB Muslim Student Association and the Western New York Peace Center.
Mehr said his team of 11 doctors and two nonmedical personnel, many of them members of Islamic Medical Association of America, were the only Americans allowed into Gaza following Israel’s three-week offensive, which began after militants in Gaza fired rockets into southern Israel.
A veteran of treating mass casualties in major disasters, Mehr said being in Gaza was especially disturbing, not because he is a Muslim but because “the whole situation there is a man-made situation, on both sides,” referring to both Israel and the Palestinian territories.
“I’ve gone to Banda Aceh [following the 2004 tsunami], to Kashmir; those are all acts of God or acts of nature,” he said. “But when it’s a man-made conflict, as a human being, a physician, it’s really disturbing.”
Mehr, like other members of the American Medical Mission to Gaza, is adamant about keeping politics out of the work.
“We were purely apolitical— humanitarian,” he said. “We didn’t care who our patients were. You ended up consumed by the situation. We just did our work.”
Mehr’s team was in Gaza from Jan. 21 until Jan. 31.
“Most of our team dealt with trauma and infection of trauma injuries that weren’t taken care of right away,” Mehr said.
He wasn’t faulting the doctors who had been trying to care for the patients.
“When you’re having 200 people an hour coming to your emergency room — there isn’t a hospital in the U. S. that can handle that kind of volume. The injuries included burns and wounds that required amputations,” Mehr said.
Mehr said he couldn’t help but notice what he believed were the consequences of the two-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on Gaza.
“What really caught us by surprise were the effects of the embargo,” he said. “We ended up taking care of people who were not just injured from the war, but were dying of cancer and chronic illnesses who couldn’t be treated because they didn’t have the medicines and didn’t have the medical expertise.”
mbecker@buffnews.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Where's My Daddy?
Hiba Saloum, a 4 year old Palestinian girl has been asking her mother this question since the day her father was killed. Her father, Mohammad, was a hero so to speak. It was afternoon, and the call for prayers had been made. As per his daily routine, Mohammad went to offer afternoon prayers. Few had been brave enough or dared to come out of their homes and offer prayers in a congregation during the recent conflict. I suppose it is very likely that he would have been asking God to help end the endless days of attacks. Little did he know what fate had in store for him.
Those who survived the upcoming deadly afternoon explained that as they were offering their prayers the loud supersonic sounds of approaching F-16 fighter jets were heard overhead. Following a large explosion that had jolted everyone to the ground, the jets unloaded an arsenal of missiles upon the local police station. The police station was completely decimated. Hiba
’s uncle, Gibran, who also was in the mosque, described the carnage. I can only picture it in my mind, like a seen from a Hollywood movie. He said there were body parts strewn across the rubble, some people were simply gasping for their last breaths, while others could be heard screaming for help. A scene of utter and total chaos along with despair beyond belief. Hiba's father and the others who were nearby ran to help their fellow brothers and sisters. As they were scouring through the wreckage helping and searching for survivors, an attack helicopter soon appeared and showered a hail of bullets and rocket fire on the small crowd beneath. Mohammad died helping others that day. I found a tear rolling down my cheek, as Hiba’s mother Fatima and Gibran told me the story. Hopefully one day Hiba can understand that her father died helping fellow man--a hero in my book.
History tends to only record the number of dead, seriously wounded, and the children who are hurt or killed during war. What I noticed, were the ones who are unspoken for. The children, like Hiba, The orphans--regardless i
f they lost one or both parents. Life is never the same for any child who has lost a parent, but imagine the uphill battle to survive in a war torn region like Gaza. Life is hard enough for the ones who survive year after year, despite the embargo and all its effects. Operation "Cast Lead" left over 2000 new orphans who ask the same questions. These children experience nightmares, bedwetting, and even the loss of control of their bowels--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an understatement, to say the least.
f they lost one or both parents. Life is never the same for any child who has lost a parent, but imagine the uphill battle to survive in a war torn region like Gaza. Life is hard enough for the ones who survive year after year, despite the embargo and all its effects. Operation "Cast Lead" left over 2000 new orphans who ask the same questions. These children experience nightmares, bedwetting, and even the loss of control of their bowels--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an understatement, to say the least. As physicians we are trained to handle all situations and all types of patients. But I could not find the words to console the children who told stories of seeing their parent’s bodies under the rubble, or bullet-ridden torsos lying in the front yard. The effects of 23 days of bombings and planes flying overhead have taken their toll on many, but it is the children who must live on with such memories, that need us most now.
It is heartening to see surgeons, trauma doctors, pediatricians and critical care specialists volunteer their time but we must not lose sight of the most important part of the body that has taken the greatest blow--the beautiful mind. I applaud my colleagues in the mental health professions that traveled to Gaza and can only hope that the borders are eased so that these heroes of medicine can continue to come, listen, and treat the children. Hopefully they can better serve to help answer questions that many physicians cannot—like that of Hiba: "Where's my daddy?"
Dr. Ismail Mehr is an anesthesiologist from Hornell, NY. He was the team leader for the American medical mission.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Dr Imran Qureshi Selected as CAIR Courage Awardee
CAIR to honor Hamza Yusuf, Roland Martin, Ahlam Jabra, Dr. Imran Qureshi
Dr. Imran Qureshi is an Interventional Radiologist practicing in Aurora, IL. He completed his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Rochester near his hometown of Dansville, NY. After spending an internship year in Chicago, he completed his Radiology residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Qureshi returned to Chicago for a fellowship in Interventional Radiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He has been in Aurora for 4 years. Dr. Qureshi joined a group of 9 physicians who traveled to Gaza to on a humanitarian medical mission sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association. While there he performed procedures on multiple patients, including a five year old with cancer and a 9 day old with renal failure. He is currently working with the team to push for a congressional hearing regarding the aftermath of war in Gaza to allow continued medical aid in the region. He has also been a regular contributor to a website put up by the team--the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Dr. Imran Qureshi is an Interventional Radiologist practicing in Aurora, IL. He completed his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Rochester near his hometown of Dansville, NY. After spending an internship year in Chicago, he completed his Radiology residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Qureshi returned to Chicago for a fellowship in Interventional Radiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He has been in Aurora for 4 years. Dr. Qureshi joined a group of 9 physicians who traveled to Gaza to on a humanitarian medical mission sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association. While there he performed procedures on multiple patients, including a five year old with cancer and a 9 day old with renal failure. He is currently working with the team to push for a congressional hearing regarding the aftermath of war in Gaza to allow continued medical aid in the region. He has also been a regular contributor to a website put up by the team--the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Chicago Tribune Prints Correction
Corrections and clarifications, Feb. 25, 2009
February 25, 2009
•An article Friday in the Chicagoland Extra edition gave an incorrect nationality for Dr. Imran Qureshi, a Naperville radiologist who was part of a medical relief team made up of Muslim physicians and surgeons from across the U.S. who traveled to the Gaza Strip. Qureshi is an American-born citizen and the son of Pakistani immigrants. Also, the article incorrectly said Qureshi had never been to the Middle East before. He had never been to Gaza before.The Tribune regrets the errors.
February 25, 2009
•An article Friday in the Chicagoland Extra edition gave an incorrect nationality for Dr. Imran Qureshi, a Naperville radiologist who was part of a medical relief team made up of Muslim physicians and surgeons from across the U.S. who traveled to the Gaza Strip. Qureshi is an American-born citizen and the son of Pakistani immigrants. Also, the article incorrectly said Qureshi had never been to the Middle East before. He had never been to Gaza before.The Tribune regrets the errors.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
2/24/09 Coverage
Report: US to give $900M in Gaza aid
Children afraid to return to school
Rehab for amputees a long road, at Al Wafa
MSF teams provide follow up surgery
Children afraid to return to school
Rehab for amputees a long road, at Al Wafa
MSF teams provide follow up surgery
Monday, February 23, 2009
University of Chicago to Host Gaza Event
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: An Eyewitness Account
Thursday, February 26th
5:30 PM
Ida Noyes Cloister Club
1212 East 59th Street
Chicago 60637
*Hummus and pita from Cedars will be served.
A Panel Discussion with:
Steve Sosebee , Dr. Imran Qureshi, Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, and Dr. Scott Eggener
Steve Sosebee is the President & CEO of Palestine Children Relief Fund.
The Palestine Children's Relief Fund is a non-governmental organization that was established concerned people in the U.S. to address the medical and humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian youths in the Middle East. See www.pcrf.net
Dr. Imran Qureshi, a doctor at Rush-Copley Medical Center, was one 9 American doctors to go to Gaza after the December/January assault on Gaza.
Team Website
Dr. Qureshi's Personal Travelogue
Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, a doctor from Rush Hospital in Chicago, has led several missions to Palestine over the past several years as a volunteer; screening hundreds of children, many who later had life-saving surgery
Dr. Scott Eggener, a doctor and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, is an active member of IVUMed (International Volunteers in Urology). He has participated in volunteer educational and surgical missions to Cuba, Honduras, Morocco, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Palestine.
Sponsored by: Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, Amnesty, Students for Justice in Palestine
Contact: afshan1@uchicago.edu
Thursday, February 26th
5:30 PM
Ida Noyes Cloister Club
1212 East 59th Street
Chicago 60637
*Hummus and pita from Cedars will be served.
A Panel Discussion with:
Steve Sosebee , Dr. Imran Qureshi, Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, and Dr. Scott Eggener
Steve Sosebee is the President & CEO of Palestine Children Relief Fund.
The Palestine Children's Relief Fund is a non-governmental organization that was established concerned people in the U.S. to address the medical and humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian youths in the Middle East. See www.pcrf.net
Dr. Imran Qureshi, a doctor at Rush-Copley Medical Center, was one 9 American doctors to go to Gaza after the December/January assault on Gaza.
Team Website
Dr. Qureshi's Personal Travelogue
Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, a doctor from Rush Hospital in Chicago, has led several missions to Palestine over the past several years as a volunteer; screening hundreds of children, many who later had life-saving surgery
Dr. Scott Eggener, a doctor and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, is an active member of IVUMed (International Volunteers in Urology). He has participated in volunteer educational and surgical missions to Cuba, Honduras, Morocco, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Palestine.
Sponsored by: Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, Amnesty, Students for Justice in Palestine
Contact: afshan1@uchicago.edu
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Event for Gaza in Downers Grove IL
Islamic Medical Association of North America Dinner Meeting Medical Report on Gaza Health Care Catastrophe Post Ceasefire
Date: 3/4/2009
Time: 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Speakers: Dr. Muhyaldeen Dia, Associate Professor of Medicine at UIC
Dr. Imran Qureshi, Member of IMANA Medical Team to Gaza
Registration: $20/person (free for medical students. Seating limited to 50 attendees - Please RSVP before 2/25/09 to Dr. Naveed Akhtar at nnakhtar@aol.com)
Contact Info: Dr. Naveed Akhtar, President
Chicago Chapter of IMANA
T: 630-932-0000 630-915-3531
E: nnakhtar@aol.com
Ashiyana Banquets
1620 7th Street
Downers Grove, IL
This dinner will feature a medical report on the Gaza Health Care Catastrophe Post Ceasefire (IMANA had sent a team of doctors to Gaza. You can read more about Imran Qureshi's experience at AMMGaza) There will also be discussion of the latest trends in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Date: 3/4/2009
Time: 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Speakers: Dr. Muhyaldeen Dia, Associate Professor of Medicine at UIC
Dr. Imran Qureshi, Member of IMANA Medical Team to Gaza
Registration: $20/person (free for medical students. Seating limited to 50 attendees - Please RSVP before 2/25/09 to Dr. Naveed Akhtar at nnakhtar@aol.com)
Contact Info: Dr. Naveed Akhtar, President
Chicago Chapter of IMANA
T: 630-932-0000 630-915-3531
E: nnakhtar@aol.com
Ashiyana Banquets
1620 7th Street
Downers Grove, IL
This dinner will feature a medical report on the Gaza Health Care Catastrophe Post Ceasefire (IMANA had sent a team of doctors to Gaza. You can read more about Imran Qureshi's experience at AMMGaza) There will also be discussion of the latest trends in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Gaza Awareness Event in Bath NY
Bath group plans dinner, Gaza trip presentation
Staff report • February 20, 2009
The Bath Peace and Justice Group will hold a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 4, followed by a slide presentation at 7 p.m. by Dr. Ismail Mehr, in the Empire Room of the Dormann Library, 101 West Morris St. in Bath.Mehr will describe his recent humanitarian trip to Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli attacks on that territory.
Mehr, who is an anesthesiologist at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, recently led a 10-day medical mission to Gaza sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association of North America.
For more information about Mehr's trip, visit the American Medical Mission to Gaza blog. The event is free and open to the public. Call (607) 569-3564 for more information.
Staff report • February 20, 2009
The Bath Peace and Justice Group will hold a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 4, followed by a slide presentation at 7 p.m. by Dr. Ismail Mehr, in the Empire Room of the Dormann Library, 101 West Morris St. in Bath.Mehr will describe his recent humanitarian trip to Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli attacks on that territory.
Mehr, who is an anesthesiologist at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, recently led a 10-day medical mission to Gaza sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association of North America.
For more information about Mehr's trip, visit the American Medical Mission to Gaza blog. The event is free and open to the public. Call (607) 569-3564 for more information.
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