KOZHIKODE: Controversial Salafi preacher Abdul Muhsin Aydeed has come up with a suggestion that Muslim doctors should not use the Red Cross emblem or the Rod of Asclepius symbol (representing Greek God of healing), as they are against the monotheism in Islam.In a post titled ‘Some Islamic Advise to Doctors’ which appeared on Alaswala Facebook page, Aydeed also advised the doctors not to touch women patients as far as possible and not to encourage ‘male-female mixing’ in hospitals and consulting rooms.“Certain symbols related to idol worship are widely seen in the houses, vehicles, consulting rooms and on the prescription pads of doctors. An example is the cross in red colour, which signifies the belief in Trinity by the Christians. Trinity is the worst form of the shirk (polytheism), and is the most detested sin in Islam,” he said.Similarly, the Rod of Asclepius, denotes the Greco-Roman Gods of life and health, he said. “The beliefs that destroys Thouheed (monotheism), the cardinal principle in Islam, should be kept at arm’s length. These kinds of wrong beliefs may unknowingly sneak into the belief system of Muslims and they may distance themselves from Islam. A Muslim doctor should keep away from all the signs and slogans that are against Islam,” he said.The Salafi preacher said a Muslim woman can approach a male Muslim doctor if she fails to find a Muslim female doctor. “The male doctor should look at or touch the female patient only in an unavoidable situation. He should use hand gloves if he decides to touch the female patient,” Muhsin said adding touching without gloves is allowed only in extreme situations.The woman patient should be asked to cover all other parts of her body which do not need examination. The Islamic principle that a male should not be alone with an unknown female is applicable in the case of doctors too. “The presence of husband or ‘mahrams’ is mandatory while being examined by the male doctor, “Muhsin said. (Mahrams are the persons who are allowed to escort a Muslim woman when she travels) “At least a woman from the family of the patient should be present at the time of examination. If all these are not available, the male doctor should examine the patient after the keeping open the door and standing on the other side of a veil,” suggests Muhsin.In his opinion, cosmetic or plastic surgery is not allowed in Islam as it amounts to intervening in Allah’s creation. “Undergoing plastic surgery for beautification of the body or to rejuvenate is not allowed. For example, treatment to set right the shapes of nose, abdomen or ear,” he said.Muhsin is a member of the extreme Salafi group that came into being in Kerala after numerous splits in Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM), the parent Salafi organisation in the state. He had earlier exhorted Muslims not to send their kids to public schools and had stated that the concept of nationalism is alien to Islam.