Ayatollah Al-Sistani praised Dr. Mohammed Taher Abu Ragheef for his exemplary surgical work in Gaza, where he treated over 1,200 patients and performed more than 300 surgeries despite material shortages. His efforts in the conflict zone were recognized by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who referred to him as a “humanitarian ambassador.”
On Sunday, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani commended Dr. Mohammed Taher Abu Ragheef, a British-Iraqi surgeon, for his invaluable medical contributions in Gaza. Ayatollah al-Sistani met with Dr. Abu Ragheef and discussed the critical healthcare challenges faced in the besieged Palestinian region, expressing appreciation for the doctor’s commitment to saving lives in such dire circumstances.
Dr. Abu Ragheef was born in Najaf in the 1980s and later moved to the UK with his family, where he trained in trauma surgery, upper limb reconstruction, and peripheral nerve surgery. As part of the “Fajr Scientific” medical delegation, he volunteered in Gaza’s hospitals from early 2024, where he performed over 300 intricate surgeries and treated more than 1,200 patients despite facing severe shortages of medical resources.
One notable achievement during his tenure in Gaza was the successful reattachment of a severed arm of a nine-year-old girl due to injuries sustained from an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah. His contributions earned him the title of “humanitarian ambassador” from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who recognized his work on January 25, 2025, following an official acknowledgment of his efforts.
Upon receiving an invitation, Dr. Abu Ragheef traveled to Iraq where he was officially welcomed by the Iraqi Prime Minister, underscoring the impact of his humanitarian efforts and the high regard in which he is held for his commitment to providing medical care in times of conflict.
Ayatollah al-Sistani recognized Dr. Abu Ragheef’s impactful work in Gaza, highlighting the challenges faced in providing medical care in a war zone. Dr. Abu Ragheef’s training and expertise allowed him to perform complex surgeries and significantly improve the healthcare situation amid critical shortages. His accomplishments underscore the importance of medical humanitarian efforts in conflict areas, earning him accolades from both Iraqi leaders and the community.
Original Source: shafaq.com
