She Has a Degree in Biochemistry—And She Believes in Abdullah Hashem

As part of our Professional Profiles series, we highlight members of AROPL with accomplished careers and expertise, showing how their professional paths led them to join the community of Abdullah Hashem.

As part of our series exploring the journeys of professionals who embraced the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, we interview Noor Fatimah Ali.

Born and raised in Ireland to Pakistani parents in a traditional Shia Muslim household, Noor grew up navigating the complex intersections of faith, identity, and modern life. In a predominantly Catholic country where religion often remains in the background, she maintained a strong connection to her spiritual roots while engaging deeply with the secular world around her. Noor pursued her academic path in Dublin, graduating with a degree in Science—specializing in Biochemistry and Cell Biology—from the renowned Trinity College Dublin.

Please tell us about your professional history, Noor.

I studied in Dublin and graduated with a degree in Science, specializing in Biochemistry with Cell Biology, from Trinity College Dublin. I then pursued a Master’s degree at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin and completed a PhD in Respiratory Disease at University College Dublin. After my academic research, I began my role in the pharmaceutical industry within a contract research organization, where I worked on cell culture technologies. My present job focuses on the research and development of wound care technologies.

What did you love about your job? What made you choose this job?

What drew me to a career in science, and what I continue to love about my work, is the sense of challenge it provides. There are endless opportunities for problem-solving with each answer leading to new questions. Science is like solving a puzzle. Each project is different, and even the difficult projects become rewarding when breakthroughs occur. Knowing that our collective efforts, whether in research, development, or laboratory work, can ultimately improve patient outcomes also meant a lot to me.

The most rewarding aspect of my career is hearing directly from patients and healthcare professionals about how our products have made a difference in their lives. These stories remind me of the positive impact the work can have. I also value knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater understanding within the scientific and medical communities. Sharing research findings, developing new technologies, and helping to solve real-world healthcare problems all have a role in advancing not just products, but also increasing our collective understanding of disease and potential treatments. 

How did you hear about this call?

I was brought up in a Shia family, where learning about religion was encouraged and the topic of the Mahdi held a lot of significance. Through my own reading and study, I came across discussions about “The Arrivals” and began following this journey. It was during this time that I first heard the voice of Ahmed Al-Hassan. The conviction and clarity in his words struck me, leading me to investigate further. His insistence on research, the evidence presented, and his eloquent responses to critical questions resonated with me and made me want to investigate more. 

At the time I was also following the journey of Aba Al-Sadiq in Egypt, knowing that he was actively seeking the Mahdi. Even back then, Aba Al-Sadiq was known for his integrity, honesty and discernment. So when he announced the Yamani and introduced us to Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan, it was something to take seriously. That was how I first heard of this call. 

My research led me to the Will of Prophet Muhammad. I was surprised that I had never heard of it, especially considering its importance in recognizing the true successors of Prophet Muhammad and guidance for the end times. Everything I researched, whether it was the Will, the banner, the knowledge displayed by Ahmed Al-Hassan, narrations about the end times, or the death of King Abdullah, pointed to the same conclusion and reinforced my belief. 

The deeper I researched, the more the evidence aligned, until it became very clear that the knowledge and evidence supporting the call stood far above what I had previously encountered, both in depth and in substance. It was through this realization that I ultimately accepted the call.

How can you use the skills you learned in your job in this call?

My scientific training in biochemistry, molecular medicine, and respiratory research taught me how to critically assess information, analyse evidence, and search for the truth with an open but questioning mind. These skills enabled me to thoroughly research the proofs, narrations, and signs related to the call, ensuring my decision was based on evidence, and not just what I wanted or expected to hear.

On my journey, I have experienced miraculous moments, reinforcing my conviction. However, what sustains my belief is the clear, rational, and strong foundation upon which it stands. When I subjected the principles and beliefs of this call to the same rigorous analysis and critical evaluation that I would apply to any scientific theory I encountered, I have found them to be impossible to dismiss from a logical perspective. The principles of this call stood up to every test. 

What would you like to tell other people who are still working in your profession today?

The values drawing us into science, curiosity, integrity, and a desire to help others, reach far beyond clinical settings or research papers. Our commitment to humanity is not confined to the laboratory or the workplace, but it is an inherent part of us. 

Science itself is constantly expanding, and taking in new insights, sometimes from the most unexpected places. These new insights and discoveries often come from questions we never thought to ask, from experiences outside our comfort zones, and even from challenges that force us to rethink everything we thought we knew. 

If, as scientists, what we seek is contribution to humanity, Aba Al-Sadiq’s overall message is to put “humanity first.”

If we value critical thinking and analysis, the foundation of this call is built on logic and truth that surpass even the most stringent intellectual and scientific tests. This is what makes that foundation so remarkable.

If our passion lies in the pursuit of answers that reach beyond the current limits of science, then Aba Al-Sadiq has already shed light on mysteries and realities that even modern knowledge is only beginning to approach, with more discoveries still to come.

Therefore the values of reasoning, compassion, and a commitment to truth are not just highly valued in science, but they also lead us to the truth in this call, and to real answers, practical solutions and the advancement of humanity, the true measure of scientific achievement.