Hijab-wearing Muslimah graduates from University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) with distinction

Despite the wanton cases of hijabophobia rocking the academic sphere of the country, an hijab-wearing Muslim lady, Rahimah AbdulKareem, has defied all odds by graduating with a distinction from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.

Making her family and the entire Muslim Ummah proud, Miss AbdulKareem, who studied Paramedics at the Institute of Health Technology (IHT) of the Teaching Hospital, was among the top 4 graduating students of paramedics for the 2019/2020 session.

In an exclusive chat with Muslim News, Hijabi Rahimah could not hide her joy at achieving such feat as a Muslimah, stating that her success was from Allah and revealed her choice of study was mainly to save lives, which is in line with Islamic tenets.

In her words, “I feel happy that I graduated with a distinction. It actually shows Allah’s rahmah. I’m not the only one that graduated with a distinction in my class. We are four, but being an hijabi, this makes a difference and it’s an achievement.

“I have always loved anything that has to do with taking care of the ill and injured. It became something of concern for me seeing people die in hospitals due to lack of emergency medical services in the country, well-equipped ambulances, and trained personnel (paramedics), coupled with the fact that there are few Muslimah paramedics. I became passionate about it and to be part of pre-hospital care as it concerns the unknown patient, who might be one of my sisters in the Deen.

“We don’t pray for medical or trauma emergencies but emergencies or accidents must happen. There must be preparation for it always and that’s the role of paramedics. People die daily due to lack of trained personnel, and resources to bridge the gap in the healthcare sector in Nigeria. It is not an easy step to take knowing that it’s very demanding, especially when you find yourself in a hostile and tense scene. However, professionalism and God’s grace is what makes it interesting”, she noted.

On how smooth the journey was, she said, “It has been a phenomenal journey so far, especially in our country, Nigeria, where the need for emergency medical services has not been fully recognised. It has been all about emergencies, tasking and fun. From impromptu classes, to going for postings, series of tests and examinations, drills, presentations and lots more. We give thanks to Allah, Alhamdulillah.”

She further advised that there is need to understand and know that there is no limit to what we can achieve as humans; creatures of the highest intellect.

“No man is an island of knowledge, keep learning with an open mind, be steadfast and intentional with your small and great wins and most importantly, stay connected with your Maker(Allah) always”, she sued.

▪︎《Zaynab Abimbola Adeyemo, University of Benin