WREN Stories: My identity as a Muslim Doctor

This month's WREN (Workforce Race Equality Network) Stories blog comes from Dr Nazish Hashmi.

It is well known that religious identity emerges in social and historical context with a variable development. In the 21^st century and the ever-evolving globalized world, the word identity has taken on a whole new meaning and more and more people are grappling with the concept of personal identity.

When I think about my identity, firstly I identify as a human who is to do no harm to any living thing, secondly as a Muslim, and thirdly as a mother. Being a female British/Pakistani, a wife/daughter/sister/a doctor all come somewhere down the list. In essence we all carry multiple identities and implement these in our day to day lives. For me, being a Muslim shapes my philosophy of life. Over the years I have moved from an ascribed Muslim identity to one that is chosen and declared. Being a doctor makes me proud as I am able to help so many but it also makes me even more aware of the ethos of justice and personal accountability. Below is an example of guidance given by Islam which if adhered to makes one a patient, resilient person with good manners.

“Encourage what is good and forbid what is evil, and endure patiently whatever befalls you. Surely this is a resolve to aspire to. And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk pride fully upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful. And be moderate in your walking and lower your voice”. Quran (chapter 31)

Britain has a large and growing Muslim population and people like me have a responsibility to explain Islam to the west. The aim is to see Islam as part of the solution and not part of the problem. I base this on the knowledge that Islam is a religion of optimism and in society we have a lot of inspirational individuals to make this positive impact. The idea to stay optimistic and help each other has been even more prevalent in times of the global pandemic. I always try to practice this optimistic approach but I am no angel and have days of frustration and anger like anyone else. I would like to believe that the way I cope with these is more altruistic and people around me would barely notice a difference. I have found solace in religion after small things like failing exams or bigger, like losing patients or personal bereavements. To me religion is a very big protective factor and I would be lost without it – particularly being in lockdown! There is only so much Netflix one can watch!

I have been passionate about supporting people from diverse backgrounds (colleagues and patients) and have been lucky enough to work in a team recently that supports inclusion and equality by providing extra support and training to all team members. My passion is derived from Prophet Mohammed emphasising the issue of diversity, inclusion and equality, based on the teachings of the Quran. 1400 years ago in his farewell pilgrimage he said the following words:

“An Arab has no superiority over a non Arab, nor a non Arab has any superiority over an Arab. Also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white, except by piety and good deeds”.

If only we could all understand and follow that, the world would be a much kinder place.