GEORGE TOWN: Muslims in the country have been urged not to be influenced by anti-vaccine movement propaganda rejecting Covid-19 inoculation.
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Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said Islam made it compulsory for its followers to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of any diseases.
“By rejecting the vaccine, this means that one is exposing oneself to danger when such behaviour is forbidden by law as in the words of the Al-Quran and the Hadith.
“As such, I want to advise Muslims in the country not to be easily influenced by the invitation of such an ignorant movement as the anti-vaccine movement,” he said today.
On Feb 4, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was reported to have said that the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme would start at the end of the month with the government targeting 80 per cent of the country’s population, or 26.5 million individuals, receiving the vaccine, to be conducted for free in three phases.
The first phase, from February to April, is for 500,000 frontliners, while the second phase, from April to August, is for high-risk groups, comprising senior citizens aged 60 and above and vulnerable groups with morbidity problems such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as persons with disabilities.
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The third phase is from May to February next year and is for those aged 18 and above.
Wan Salim said it was sad there are still Muslims who doubted the status of the Covid-19 vaccine when in fact the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) had decided that the use of the Covid-19 vaccine was permissible (harus) and obligatory (wajib) for groups which have been identified by the government.
“The decision was made after listening to a briefing by the Health director-general besides reviewing
the study conducted by Department of Islamic Development researchers.
“It must be noted that members in the muzakarah (discussion) comprised state muftis and others appointed by the Council of Rulers who have expertise in the field.
“Muslims must place their full trust in the decision made. This is because the decision is reached based on research and not assumptions and with strong and scientific arguments,” he added.- NST