I'm writing this with a heavy heart, as I'm sure many of my fellow medical students will resonate with the struggles I'm about to share. Pursuing an MBBS degree is already a challenging journey, both physically and mentally demanding. But the recent decisions made by the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore have pushed us to the brink. We're currently dealing with a perfect storm of pressure. The summer season in Pakistan is notorious for its scorching heatwaves, and to make matters worse, UHS has shortened our summer breaks to merely a week. But that's not all, they've also snatched away our most important preparation leaves, which were our only solace in the midst of this chaos. These preparation leaves were our lifeline, allowing us to revise and consolidate our knowledge before the final professional exams. Without them, we're expected to recall and retain the vast syllabus covered over the past three months. It's like trying to drink from a ...
Cousin marriage, especially first-cousin marriage, is a widely practiced tradition in many parts of the world, including South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. In societies where it is normalized, it is often defended strongly, not only by families, but even by some healthcare professionals. It’s not uncommon to hear statements like: Cousin marriage is usually safe. Other communities like Hindus and Christians have genetic disorders too. The risk only appears after 4–5 generations. Only rare conditions like thalassemia are a concern. Since Islam allows it, it must be safe. As a medical student, I believe it is essential to address these misconceptions using undeniable scientific facts, population genetics, and a responsible interpretation of Islamic ethics. Claim 1: "Cousin marriage is usually safe, so there's no reason to resist it." Truth: It may not always cause harm, but it certainly increases risk. Science does not claim that cousin marriage is always danger...