“Overall, female researchers tend to have shorter, less well-paid careers. Their work is underrepresented in high-profile journals and they are often passed over for promotion”, UNESCO
Observed annually on the 11th of February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science serves as an opportunity not only to highlight the gender bias existing in the Science field but also to amplify the voices of the talented women who are making a difference and presenting them as inspiring examples.
The Ummah For Earth alliance has a pool of women who are experts in the field of science, environment and research. So we are celebrating this day by shedding light on the work of one of our individual experts: Dr. Marium Husain.
About Dr. Marium Husain
Dr. Marium Husain, MD, MPH is a medical oncologist at The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has been working on community service projects in the Columbus area and abroad for the past 10 years. As the Past President of the national non-profit, IMANA (Islamic Medical Association of North America), she has been working on public health education and creating domestic campaigns for food insecurity, reproductive health, mental health and climate change.
Dr. Husain also helps raise awareness of basic women’s health rights and professional development. She has a strong passion for social justice projects, including climate change/global warming, food insecurity and women’s rights. Faith is a driving force in her life, and she has seen the profound impact of integrating science and faith in her own life. She is also the founder of Science Jummah!
Science Jummah: Bridging Science and Faith
Who said Science and Faith can’t meet?
“Some people say that there’s only science or there’s only God. If you believe in an iPhone, then you believe in science. If you understand how the kidney works, it’s hard not to believe in a God”, Dr. Marium Husain
Founded by Dr. Marium Husain, Science Jummah is a platform that bridges Science and Faith. It presents and discusses the rich tradition of Faith and Science in Islam and also delves into the connection between the two where stories of spiritual growth are told.
In her own words, Dr. Husain describes the history behind Science Jummah as follows: “While volunteering with IMANA during medical school, I learned about the contributions of Muslims to growing knowledge in medicine during the Golden Age of Islam. This was the first time I was educated about these contributions, and it was from Dr. Husain Nagamia. Then, a Catholic science communicator, Nic DiPalma from Spacetime Labs, educated me that the Golden Age of Islam never stopped, the narrative about Muslims just changed. The idea of Science Jummah started in Ramadan 2019. The mission is to reclaim the narrative around Muslims and Islam, sharing stories about science and faith while elevating Muslim voices”.
A Salute
“There is a historical precedent in Islam since the Prophet’s (PBUH) time of women engaging in learning and sharing knowledge. Promoting this Sunnah not only ensures opportunities for women and men to advance science, but also reminds us how Islam actually promotes the beautiful integration of science and faith. With all the problems we face in society, like the climate crisis, I believe we need to embrace our history and ensure women are involved in driving solutions so all of society can benefit”, Dr. Marium Husain
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Ummah For Earth salutes every woman and girl working hard to make a positive impact on this planet and humanity.
