Successful Refugees and Immigrants Leading the Way, Part 3: Pioneering Surgeon Dr. Munjed Al Muderis

Dr. Munjed Al Muderis was born in Baghdad, Iraq. After graduating, he worked as a surgery resident at Baghdad University Hospital. One day in 1999, while he was on duty at the hospital, he and his colleagues were suddenly ordered by the authorities to immediately perform a very harmful procedure on a group of men who were just brought to the facility or face very grave consequences. Owing to his conscience and firm belief in justice, Dr. Al Muderis did not obey the order. After hiding for a few hours in the hospital, he quietly left, and eventually managed to leave the country. After spending time in the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia, he boarded an overcrowded boat headed for Australia. In 2010, Dr. Al Muderis started his career in orthopedic surgery. He is now a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Orthopedic Association, an associate professor in the University of Notre Dame Australia’s School of Medicine and founder of a medical practice called the Osseointegration Group of Australia. He developed a new generation of osseointegration prosthetic limbs that solve many issues that patients faced before. Specifically, he specializes in leg replacements for above and below the knee amputees and is considered a world-leading surgeon in the osseointegration field. Dr. Al Muderis is actively engaged in various practical actions to help refugees and supports Australia’s community sponsorship program for such individuals. He is a patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre, Sanctuary Australia Foundation, New South Wales Amputee Association, and the Australian Red Cross. Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Appreciatively present Dr. Al Muderis with the Shining World Compassion Award plus US$20,000 as a humble token of support, (if allowed,) toward the refugee-foundation under his care. Thank you for giving so many the gift of happiness through independent mobility by your skilled hands and making our world more aware of the plight of asylum seekers and refugees. May Allah always bless you abundantly.”