Ayatollah Al-Sistani Lauds Gaza Surgeon for Humanitarian Efforts

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani commended Dr. Mohammed Taher Abu Ragheef, a British-Iraqi surgeon, for his heroic medical work in Gaza. Despite dramatic shortages, Dr. Abu Ragheef performed over 300 complex surgeries. He is recognized as a ‘humanitarian ambassador’ by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, following his remarkable achievements, including saving a nine-year-old girl’s severed arm.

On Sunday, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani praised Dr. Mohammed Taher Abu Ragheef, a British-Iraqi surgeon, for his exemplary medical contributions in Gaza. During a meeting, the Ayatollah listened to Dr. Abu Ragheef’s account of the overwhelming healthcare challenges faced in the war-affected Palestinian territory. He expressed gratitude for the doctor’s unwavering dedication and offered prayers for his sustained success in his efforts.

Dr. Abu Ragheef, who was born in Najaf in the 1980s, relocated to the United Kingdom with his family. There, he honed his skills in trauma surgery, upper limb reconstruction, and peripheral nerve surgery. In early 2024, he joined the “Fajr Scientific” medical team, volunteering in Gaza’s hospitals under pressing conditions.

Within a six-month period, Dr. Abu Ragheef conducted over 300 intricate surgeries and treated more than 1,200 injured patients amid severe shortages of medical supplies. Notably, he achieved the remarkable feat of reattaching the severed arm of a nine-year-old girl, who had tragically lost it during an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah.

On January 25, 2025, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani commended Dr. Abu Ragheef’s humanitarian efforts, recognizing him as a “humanitarian ambassador.” Following this acknowledgment, the doctor received an official invitation to Iraq, where he was warmly welcomed by the prime minister.

In conclusion, Ayatollah Al-Sistani’s commendation of Dr. Abu Ragheef highlights the critical role of medical professionals in humanitarian crises. Dr. Abu Ragheef’s dedication to providing necessary healthcare under dire conditions in Gaza exemplifies significant contributions to medical practice and humanitarianism. His recognition as a ‘humanitarian ambassador’ underlines the importance of global support for affected regions. Dr. Abu Ragheef’s achievements, including the successful surgeries he performed amidst adversity, underscore the vital work necessary in times of conflict. His story serves as an inspiration to many in the medical field and beyond.

Original Source: shafaq.com