Marium Husain, MD, MPH wrote to SASTA on her website project, Science Jummah:

It was in the middle of night during Ramadan 2018 in the last 10 days, a very quiet and peaceful night, when the idea of Science Jummah started. I was working as an oncology hospitalist and was taking care of patients with cancer admitted to the hospital who were either dealing with side effects of their treatment or transitioning from this world to the next. I was grateful for all the medical science I learned but science wasn’t able to explain the why to me; why some patients got sick, why some walked out the hospital and some didn’t. Although I have been Muslim my whole life, I again found God in these times, unable to understand the why but able to accept what is in my control and what is not. The Qur’an not only spoke to me about faith, but also the drive for knowledge and understanding the gift that is this world. My patient said it best: “It’s all a mysterious wonder.

That Ramadan night I realized that faith and science are not only integral to Islam and its history, but their synergy has led to the greatest achievements in understanding the world around us while being grateful to a God that has allowed this all to happen. Like Science Friday’s efforts to promote science, Science Jummah is a platform to present and discuss the rich tradition of faith and science in Islam and religion in general. As Jummah not on represents Friday but also gathering, we connect the community with current Muslim scientists and those from the past to reveal the trends and achievements in science and how faith is always part of the journey. Science Jummah does not endorse or promote any particular Islamic sect or school of thought. We do not promote dogma or indoctrination. We do not discuss fiqh. We encourage productive and constructive dialogue. Please join and share your story about science and faith.