Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
2 April 2024 | 15:30 CAT
2 min read

The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) proudly announced that Solly Suleman has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Distinguished Pharmacist: Community Sector Award’ for 2024 from the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Branch.

This recognition, to be presented at an awards ceremony in Durban this April, is a testament to his steadfast dedication to humanitarian causes and his role as a beacon of hope within the community.

Solly Suleman, the IMASA National Executive Committee secretary, shared in an interview with Radio Islam that at the inception of IMASA, he was inspired by a few stalwarts to engage in benevolent deeds, which led him to join the IMA nearly four decades ago. He described this as a positive influence that motivated him to contribute to charitable causes. “It was like a good virus that infected me to do good and do things for the Almighty,” he said.

Considering the organisation’s future, Suleman expressed his aspiration to involve younger individuals to ensure succession planning. “We do have a student wing called SIMA with a number of enthusiastic youngsters in the system, but that has been our concern over the years, and we are trying to get them to focus on humanitarian work,” he said.

Suleman emphasised that one significant hurdle is engaging youth and helping them comprehend the importance of community upliftment.

“One of the main foundations of the IMA was to conscientise the health professional to understand that he or she is not the healer; the Almighty is the healer, but we are just instruments of the healer,” he said.

When discussing the balance between personal life and philanthropic endeavours, Suleman remarked that it boils down to dedicating your time and making time available for those efforts.

“It is important for the young generation to find a balance between working, sleeping, family time, and uplifting the community. We all have 24 hours in a day; we have to learn to divide our time,” he said.

Suleman divides his attention between the medical and business domains through his involvement with both IMASA and the Minara Chamber of Commerce.

He emphasised that participation in these organisations is not merely for community work but also offers young people the chance to network and engage with experts, enabling them to progress ambitiously and reach new heights in their endeavours.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Solly Suleman of IMASA, here.