Al-Kindy College of Medicine / University of Baghdad organized two academic and awareness sessions addressing fasting from complementary perspectives—medical safety in kidney and urinary conditions, and the psychological, social, economic, and scientific dimensions of fasting—supporting students’ integrated understanding of health and clinical decision-making.
The first event was a scientific workshop titled “Islamic Fasting Contraindications Related to the Kidneys and Urinary System”, organized by the University Psychological Guidance Unit in cooperation with the Scientific Affairs Division, and delivered by Prof. Dr. Harith Mohammed Qanbar. The workshop presented an evidence-informed overview of medical conditions in which fasting may conflict with patient safety, discussing fluid balance physiology, dehydration risks, and potential complications for patients with renal failure, dialysis, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones, in addition to relevant medication considerations.The session emphasized the importance of individualized, evidence-based clinical assessment to support appropriate medical decisions while balancing health priorities with religious considerations. Students engaged in constructive scientific discussion, reinforcing applied learning and linking theoretical knowledge to clinical practice.
In a related activity, the University Guidance Unit delivered an awareness lecture titled “Fasting and Its Psychological, Social, Economic, and Scientific Dimensions” for sixth-year students, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Abbas Owaid Alawi. The lecture highlighted fasting as a practice with multidimensional impacts, including strengthening self-control, patience, and willpower, which can contribute to psychological stability and behavioral balance. It also discussed the social role of fasting in fostering solidarity and compassion, and its economic aspect through encouraging mindful consumption and healthier dietary habits. The lecture concluded by reviewing key scientific and health-related benefits linked to metabolism regulation, digestive efficiency, and overall physiological balance.
