The Australian Egyptian Doctors and the Coptic Doctors
Delivered 6 October, 2008
Queen's Hall, Parliament House, Melbourne, Australia
Reproduced with permission
The Australian Egyptian Doctors strongly appose the abortion bill. We
feel this bill is being rushed with out adequate debate, in particular with
the primary health care professionals and largely with the general public.
The bill as it stands compromises the well being and safety of women who
may be experiencing stress, grief and hesitation in a highly charged
emotional situation. It bypasses safeguards that would support women before,
during and after an abortion, and ignores the serious and long term
consequences of abortion.
Moreover it coerces the health practitioner to behave or act in a manner
which comprises his or her ethics, morals, culture and religious beliefs.
We strongly oppose this bill as it stands and recommend that this bill be
referred for a proper discussion and public debate involving the different
community groups and health professionals concerned.
Dr Magdy Ramzy, Dr Samir Ibrahin, Dr Safwat Messiha,
Dr Emad Aboud
Dr Sarah Mikael, Dr Emil Bassilious, Dr Nabil Boulis, Dr Adel Farag, Dr Adel
Assaad Dr Safwat Hannah, Dr Younan Tosson, Dr Amir Malek
A Statement by a group of Islamic Doctors
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Life, according to Islam, is precious and no one has the right to
terminate it except the Creator, Almighty God. Abortion is a form of
terminating a (potential) life. The Quran describes the formation of the
human body through various stages:
In all stages abortion is not allowed legally or morally in Islam except:
If the fetus is a serious danger to the health of the
mother.
On the other hand the long term psychological effects on a woman who
would have such an abortion should not be underestimated.
We oppose any legislation that legalizes abortion.
Dr Hussain Alabodi, Dr Seham Mostafa , Dr Abdullah
Mohammed Arakji
Dr Mir Mohamed Habib , Dr Mohammed Amjad Hussain , Dr Mariam Sogra
Hussain , Dr Ahsan Muhammed Hussain , Dr Mohammed Meteenul
Dr Amrooha Hussain , Dr Abdus Salaam Ansari
Eastern Christian Doctors
The WHO estimates that approximately 50 million abortions take place each
year. That is more than 1 billion abortions worldwide in the last 20
years. In Victoria 20,000 abortions take place each year.
This Abortion Law Reform Bill will do nothing to change this assault on
human life. How can doctors justify the sacrificing of so many
innocent human lives while their duty is to respect, care for and save lives
and to 'first do no harm?
I have worked as a general practitioner overseas from 1985 until 2006.
When I graduated in 1982 I took the Hippocratic Oath which among other
things forbids the involvement of doctors in abortion. My personal,
professional and moral judgement has and always will be against abortion.
However I've always spent time talking with patients considering an
abortion to ensure that they have carefully considered the future of their
pregnancy.
After such conversations many patients who have reflected on their
decision and later given birth were very relieved and grateful that I had
spent the time and given them the support and advice they needed.
Many of the children who were to be aborted, I now care for as patients.
This legislation will have a grave impact on my ability to talk with
women such as these who are considering abortions.
My husband Dr Nizar Farjou shares the same opinion.
Dr. Nadida Kachkouche