December 2002
Research and Teaching

Health Training Day for Imams

Local Imams, mosque staff and community leaders from around the UK recently attended a free training day at the University as part of a campaign to take health education to the centre of the Muslim community.

The training, which was organised in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Asian Quitline, was delivered in different Asian languages ahead of Ramadan (November 6 - December 5, 2002).

From left: Kamran Bashir, Girlington Mosque; Quaim Zaidi, Ethnic Stratgey Co-ordinator for the British Heart Foundation (London); and Abdul Barry Malik, Asian Disability Awareness.

The event was in support of a wider campaign calling for Muslims to be aware of their heart health and give up smoking during the holy fasting period. Health experts taught Imams and staff about coronary heart disease (CHD) and how to reduce the risks of developing it so that they can educate their congregations. Subjects covered included healthy eating, diabetes and how to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The BHF and Asian Quitline collaborated with Mahendra Patel, Research Assistant in Pharmacy Practice in the University's School of Pharmacy, to set up the training day in the Bradford area.

He said: "With a training day such as this one, Imams and community leaders will be able to provide Muslims with help and advice on their health and how to make positive lifestyle changes - both during Ramadan and in general. Imams are well respected by their congregation and can reach out to thousands of people."

Mr Patel adds: "It is vital to raise awareness of heart disease in the communities in general and promote aids available to them to give up smoking and better look after their heart."

3 December 2002

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