Highlights
- Australia's peak Islamic body declares COVID vaccines halal
- The vaccine is not mandatory however high-risk COVID industries might require you to get the jab
- People with compromised immune systems advised to consult their local GP before getting vaccinated
Last week one of the peak Islamic bodies in the country, ANIC (Australian National Imams Council) along with AFC (Australian Fatwa Council) released an Islamic ruling deeming the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to be permissible under Islamic law.
The conclusion was derived after consulting Muslim doctors and medical experts from across the country who specialise in the field of vaccines and viruses.
Bilal Rauf, a spokesperson for ANIC, told SBS Urdu that “the council has concluded that the two vaccines do not contain any prohibited substances or ingredients.”
“They have also met the clinical stands of the Therapeutic Goods Administration deeming them to be clinically safe for administration at this stage,” said Mr Rauf.
COVID-19 Vaccine Fatwa (Islamic Ruling) Source: Australian National Imams Council website
Why was this fatwa released?
According to Mr Rauf, there have been many different opinions, social media commentary and concerns raised in regards to COVID vaccines which were necessary to be addressed.
“We, as a trusted Islamic body within the Australian Muslim community, ought to provide clarification about the issue and give some guidance.”
“That was really the motivation to provide clarity, particularly given the importance of the issue of vaccination, the composition of the vaccines and its effect.
“So we thought by doing so it would hopefully quell a lot of the commentary and disputation and uncertainty, so that going forward people could make informed decisions,” said Mr Rauf.
Is the vaccine compulsory?
The very first dose of the COVID vaccine in Australia was administered on Sunday 21st February 2021 to an
Prime Minister Scott Morrison who was among the first few people to get the jab said it was a historic day for the country.
, though state governments and privately owned businesses could take a different stance.
General Practitioner and Chair of Australian Association of Pakistani Professionals Dr Yousaf Haroon Ahmed thinks that people who work in “high-risk COVID areas” might not be able to continue their work without being vaccinated.
“It would be hard for people to work at aged care facilities or facilities which deem a high COVID risk without being vaccinated,” said Dr Ahmed.
“Though there is no legal framework for this yet, but I think it will be very hard for people to continue working in high-risk COVID industries without vaccinations.”
Australia’s vaccine information for CALD communities
Health Minister Greg Hunt announced in over 60 languages, as part of its now $31 million COVID-19 vaccine rollout campaign.
GP Amrooha Hussain, a member of the MHPA (Muslim Health Professionals Australia), believes that for public health measures to be successful everyone needs to work together.
“It is important for the public to take the onus of their health and seek out information from reliable sources. This will be beneficial for everyone in the long run,” said Dr Hussain.
She said that her organisation has been providing key COVID related information to the community since last year.
“In 2020 we were educating the community about COVID-19 prevention, education and public health measures working alongside the health department.
“We also worked with Australia’s leading Islamic institutions and wrote important guidelines in regards to COVID safe Islamic funerals and most recently helped the fatwa council with research on Islamic ruling for the vaccines.”
Is it safe for me to get the vaccine?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has deemed both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines safe.
According to Dr Ahmed, if someone’s immune system is already compromised or they are very old and frail, their situation needs to be assessed on an individual basis.
“It would be best for people to discuss their individual situation with their local GP to decide on the best outcome. However, there is no specific exclusion list for the vaccine.”
Dr Ahmed further added that the flu shot is safe to be administered along with the COVID vaccine however based on the guidance by the Australian Immunisation authority it is advised to get the jab two to three weeks apart from one another.
COVID 19 vaccine rollout information in Urdu
SBS Urdu program broadcasts every Wednesday and Sunday at 6 PM (AEST)
