As we prepare for FIMA's next semi-annual meeting in Cairo, Egypt on February 28 - March 1, 2012, the unrest in the Islamic world continues to anger and frustrate Muslims across the globe.

The up rise in Syria has taken at least 60,000 lives as per UN sources. After a democratic transfer of power in Egypt, the citizens are still frustrated with the end results. Recent bombardment of Gaza by Israel left many innocents dead or injured and homeless again. Suicide bombings and target killings in several Islamic countries continue to draw a pathetic picture. When will this suffering come to an end? Only Allah SWT knows. We as medical professionals have to continue our missions of helping the suffering humanity.

Noteworthy is the Kuala Lumpur Declaration in this issue of FIMA e-newsletter that gives you an insight on what we are up against. We must continue focusing on eliminating hunger, disease, and poverty from the globe as the pledged by the UN in the Millennium Developmental Goals adopted in the year to be met by the year 2015.

Our own projects of SaveVision, SaveSmile, and SaveDignity has made a difference in the lives of almost a million people on the earth. Our joint collaborations with many NGO's have benefited many people, despite our limited resources. We have large tasks ahead of us and we pray Allah SWT to accept our efforts and give us strength and energy to do a lot more.

I was very delightful to know that many Muslim countries have made progress in fulfilling the United Nation's MDG. Let us congratulate the Government and the medical community of Bangladesh, our member country to achieve a remarkable progress in bringing down the infant and maternal mortality rate down significantly in the last five years. We would love to see other Muslim countries achieve the same or even better goals.

Finally, mark your calendars to attend our upcoming annual council meeting in the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa in September 2013. The city is well known for its table mountain and attractive coast and has a strong Muslim Population.

May Allah SWT bless you all.

Dr. Parvaiz Malik
President FIMA 2009-2013

29th FIMA Annual Council meeting was held on Sep 11-12, 2012 at the Residence Hotel at University Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia,

The attendance consisted of 58 delegates along with several guests from 23 countries. With addition of Afghanistan and India to the full members, the count of active membership is 30, another record.

Five more associate members, Sunshine Muslim Volunteers (Tanzania), IMA of Zanzibar, Somali Young Doctors Association (SOYDA), Serandib Foundation of Sri Lanka, and Al-Amal Charitable Society of Lebanon were admitted, raising the number to 13.

As you can see, the membership of FIMA is progressive and momentum continues to flourish.

Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia hosted the event and under the able leadership of Prof. Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, the reception and hospitality was at its best.

All IMA's in attendance made presentation of their activities during the year 2011-12 and many useful ideas were shared.

FIMA SaveVision reported completion of over eighty thousands of cataract surgeries performed in various countries.

FIMA SaveSmile and SaveDignity had their annual camps participated by PIMA (Pakistan), IMANA (USA) and Doctors World Wide (Turkey).

Islamic Hospital Consortium (IHC) and Consortium of Islamic Medical Colleges (CIMCO) conducted parralel sessions with meaningful discussions among the delefates.

Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia conducted a scientific seccion and the theme was "Health in the Muslim World: Meeting the Millenium Goals". World-class speakers presented high quality papers.

Over 500 participants and a large number of exhibits made this convention a big sucess. The presentations will be compiled and published in the FIMA Yearbook 2012-13.

At the end of the conference, Kuala Lumpur Declaration was endorsed and presented to FIMA by IMA of Malaysia. 2011 FIMA Life Achievement Award was presented to Prof. Adnan Jaljuli and Prof Hafeez ur Rahman for their untiring involvement and dedication in the FIMA SaveVision project.

Dr. Hafeez ur Rahman has decided to step down from the leadership of SaveVision after years of his excellent service and we pray Allah SWT to reward him. We welcome Dr. Intezar Butt as the new chairman.

I would like to reminds you again to submit reposrts of your activities for publication in the e-newsletter and FIMA website.

Dr. Parvaiz Malik
President FIMA 2009-2013

The 29th FIMA council meeting and 5th FIMA-IMAM scientific conference is approaching nearer. The organizing and scientific committees of Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM) have worked very hard during these last few months to finalize the program and made arrangements for logistics to cater for an expected 600 number of delegates. The chairman of organizing committee Dr. Abd Rashid Abd Rahman has requested the participating IMAs to send the final details of their travel plans and itineraries along with duration of stay, so that the arrangements are facilitated.

I am sure it will be an unsurpassed and memorable occasion to discuss the working and future planning of IMAs and FIMA and a great reunion of IMA fraternity and the scientific meeting will definitely augment the existing knowledge and comprehension of the theme "Health in the Muslims World: Meeting the Millenium Development Goals".

The 14th FIMA Students Camp was held in Istanbul Turkey from July 9-16th 2012. It was a huge success and attracted around 180 medical students from 18 countries, making a history. FIMA was represented by its secretary Dr. Tanveer Zubairi. This conference was co-sponsored by World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Islamic Medical Association of Saudi Arabia and Hayat Foundation, Turkey. It was a memorable meet and the cover story of this issue of FIMA e-newsletter is written by one of the young paritcipant from Leeds, UK.

The team of IMAKSA headed by Dr. Salih al Ansari and Dr. Riyadh abu Sulaiman have developed a team of trainers for these camps. The dates for Umrah camp for 2012 will be announced soon. On behalf of FIMA EXCO, I congratulate Dr. Ihsan Karaman, Dr. Mehmet Gilloglu and Dr. Sedat Akbas for hosting this important and successful meeting.