Karachi: Professor Ahmed At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University Egypt, condemned the fatwas that demand the banning of the Polio vaccine in Pakistan. The Professor described the vaccine as a “religious, medical, and humanitarian duty.”
The rumors and misconceptions about the polio vaccine cause challenges in eradicating the polio virus from Pakistan. The major barrier to preventing children from the virus is the misinformation that is linked to religious extremism, due to which many parents refuse to vaccinate their children.
The Health Minister of Pakistan, Abdul Qadir Patel, met the Grand Imam of Al Azher University, Professor Ahmed At-Tayyeb, in Cairo. In the meeting, the Health minister briefed the host about the flood crisis in Pakistan. The difficulties that the authorities face in polio awareness campaigns in Pakistan were also discussed in the meeting.
The Grand Imam called the prohibition of vaccines a violation of the rights of Pakistani children and their families. The university later tweeted on Wednesday that the prevention of a vaccine that is beneficial for a child is prohibited by Sharia.
Furthermore, The Grand Imam made special prayers for the people affected by the flood and called on countries and charitable institutions around the world to help the people in distress. “Pakistan is a resilient nation and will cope with this natural calamity.”, the Imam stated.