Al Shifa Free Clinic - Muslims for Humanity

In a world with increasing Islamaphobia, Muslims are continuing to take the high road and contribute to the United States in the most wonderful ways.

In San Bernardino, California, 500,000 people do not have health insurance.   In the year 2000, the Al Shifa clinic opened in a largely latino community known as Muscoy.  It was opened by a group of Muslim friends, with the goal of reducing the burden on emergency rooms, and therefore reducing the cost of health care for EVERYONE!  (When someone receives treatment in an ER, and then can't pay their bills, the cost for everyone else - insured or otherwise - goes up to cover that deficit.  Al Shifa treating over 200 patient a month, using only volunteer doctors and donated supplies and equipment, helps to ease that burden in San Bernardino.)

So - the Al Shifa clinic is a clinic run by Muslims - that provides absolutely FREE health care to those who walk in - regardless of their race, religion, or nationality.  Because they are in a primarily latino community, most of their doctors are bilingual, and they have staff who can translate for the doctors.  They provide health care in: dental, primary care, internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonary, neurology, women's health, pediatrics, chiropractic, psychiatry, and gynecology.  The doctors, physicians, and other members of the medical staff take days off of their paying medical jobs to volunteer at Al-Shifa.  In an interview with California Healthline, an Al Shifa doctor named Makbul Patel said, "God gave me this skill.  I feel I need to use it.  There is a severe, urgent need in this neighborhood."  Al Shifa also created a mobile clinic/van for those who cannot travel themselves to the building.  Al Shifa means "Healing Path," and these doctors are truly giving the community a healing path.

The best way to learn about Al Shifa is to visit their website and watch their videos.  Be careful, it may melt your heart.

Religious freedom makes America great.  Our diversity makes America great.  Our ability to overcome terrible adversity makes America great. This Muslim community - makes America great!


Also - check out ICNA - Muslims for Humanity.  They help out our country and our world in so many beautiful ways!