IRAQ – DECEMBER 2013: KARBALA & NAJAF

THIS YEAR ON ARBAEEN (SAFAR 20, 1435|DECEMBER 24, 2013) OVER 20 MILLION ZAWAR (PILGRAMS) VISITED KARBALA TO COMMEMORATE 40 DAYS AFTER THE SLAYING OF IMAM HUSSEIN (A.S) . ZAWAR FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CONGREGATED IN

KARBALA OVER SEVERAL DAYS. ONE WEEK LATER, MILLIONS OF ZAWAR VISITED NAJAF TO COMMERATE THE DEATH OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (P.B.U.H.)

Dr. Hussein (Toronto) treating a patient assisted by Dr. Kazim Razvi (Sweden)

and Dr. Kermalli (Toronto).

Global Kindness Foundation (GKF) organized a group of volunteers to aid the millions of zawar of Karbala

and Najaf. Many of these zawar walked over 100km from Najaf to

Karbala. In Karbala, Global Kindness Foundation volunteers set up a dental clinic in the As-Seyyeda

Shohada Hospital located between the shrines of Imam Hussein (A.S.) and Hazrat Abbas (A.S.). Over a 5 day period in Karbala, we treated over 400 patients and performed

procedures ranging from pain control, temporary and permanent

restorations and extractions.

Our team was given a new dental facility in the hospital which included two modern dental chairs. However, there was no materials, supplies, equipment or sundries available. Our team of 4 dentists from North America (Dr. Mohammedabbas Hussein, Dr. Akbar Rawji, Dr. Shenaz Shirazi and Dr. Jaffer Kermalli) along with a small group of volunteers transported the majority of the equipment to this location from North America. As soon as we set up the clinic, we were joined by a group of local Iraqi dentists, students and dental technicians who helped with translation, sterilization, and treating patients. Soon other dentists who were zawar from Sweden, Bahrain, and Tanzania heard about the clinic and volunteered their time and skill to help. As groups of zawar entered Karbala, if they had a dental problem they were directed to a medical/dental clinic such as this for treatment.

Dr. Hussein triaging patients in Karbala.

The days leading up to Arbaeen brought millions of Zawar into Karbala. Hundreds of thousands of them walked from Najaf to Karbala. The roads between the two cities were closed and lined by Mowkibs (a small stand or tent made to serve zawar). The pilgrims were offered food, drink, tea, a place to sleep, washrooms, even a place to charge your cell phone. Imagine over 20 million people from across the globe visiting one small city over a span of 3-4 days. Many of these pilgrims have walked for a week or more, and come from an impoverished background. If you do the math, 20 million people multiplied by 32 teeth, is a lot of possible dental problems. We saw zawar aging from young children to senior citizens, from various regions of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Africa, India-Pakistan.

Dr. Shirazi treating a pediatric patient.

Many patients we saw have had painful tooth-

aches for days or weeks, they came to our clinics with large infections, facial swellings and

abscesses. Some were not able to eat for days and as a result were extremely weak.

Dr. Kermalli working with a local Iraqi dental student.

Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (A.S.)

Dr. Kermalli with Naseer (local dental

technician)

In Najaf, our group assisted a clinic located a short walk from the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (A.S.) The clinic was called Al-Markaz Al-Haidary Il-Zaereen. We worked with a local Iraqi dentist and dental technician to assist in the increased flow of patients from December 29 to December 31. During this time, Najaf was full of millions of zawar commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H.). We saw 150 patients in 3 days, and performed a variety of dentistry from permanent restorations, extractions, and pain control. The conditions in this facility were impressive and it was well run. We saw zawar, local hospital staff and military soldiers as patients. The hospital accommodated us with extra rooms that we converted into triage areas, and performed basic extractions. We used portable dental units as well as the hospitals dental operatory to conduct more complex treatment. The local hospital staff was very enthusiastic and we had a great working relationship.

In Karbala there were two other dental/medical clinics set up by IMI. Some of the GKF volunteers worked after hours in these clinics as well and shared dental materials and supplies. These clinics were located out side of the Shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS). They were primary medical clinics with a dental component. The conditions were meager but we saw hundreds of patients with a team of dentists and volunteers from Tanzania, Bahrain, UK, and Canada.

Over the past few years we have noticed increased public awareness campaigns by the Iraqi Ministry of

Health and the Ataba’s  (Charity  Trust  Organization)  of  the Holy Shrines. Regular courses on CPR, and

preventative health and healthy lifestyles are held in public areas to educate the local Iraqi population.

In Najaf, IMI also had a

medical/dental unit working in the underground area of the shrine of Imam Ali (A.S.). They set up a clinic

in the middle of a reception hall, and saw 30-50 patients a day for almost a week. Some of the GKF volunteers

also worked in the IMI clinic and supplies were shared between

groups.