Muslims encouraged to take Covid vaccine during Ramadan
A Chatham GP has joined other medical leaders in stressing that the Covid vaccine is safe for Muslims to take during Ramadan.
Ramadan started a week ago and many Muslims are concerned whether the Covid vaccine is allowed to be taken.
Thousands of Muslims in this country will be offered the vaccine over the next month and are being encouraged to take it.
Dr Shaizir Aly, partner at Bryant Street Medical Centre and Joint Clinical Director at Medway Central Primary Care Network, has helped to clear up the confusion around the vaccine within the Muslim community. He has said that the vaccine does not break the fast and it is a Muslims religious duty to take the vaccine.
“I want to say how important it is for you all to take the Covid-19 vaccine. It has been certified by the Muslim Council of Britain, and the British Islamic Medical Association, as being halal. It has also been shown there is no invalidation of the fast if you take the vaccine during the hours of fasting in Ramadan.”
Ramadan Mubarak and blessings to everyone observing the holy month.
If you’re invited to get your vaccine, or you have a second dose booked this #Ramadan, please take it. https://t.co/1e3nCAUFcB pic.twitter.com/K0vrPXGxRP
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) April 13, 2021
Furthermore, the British Islamic Medical Association has also released information regarding the vaccine. They insist that the vaccine is allowed to be taken during Ramadan as it is not nutritional.
The full ingredient list of each vaccine can be found here
Imam Yunus Dudhwala, Head of Chaplaincy at Barts Health NHS Trust, said: “This Ramadan will continue to be different. The vast majority of scholars have deemed taking the vaccine whilst fasting as permissible and stated that it does not break the fast.
“The experts have stated that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective and the best way of protecting yourself and your loved ones. I ask my Muslim brothers and sisters to consider taking the vaccine when called.
“If you have concerns about the vaccine, please talk to a healthcare professional and make an informed decision. I would like to extend my best wishes to all, especially my colleagues working in the NHS, for the month of Ramadan – Ramadan Mubarak.”
To Londoners observing #Ramadan: the COVID-19 vaccine will not break your fast as it is not considered nutrition. If you’re invited to take your vaccine, please do. It could save your life.
Via @NHSEnglandLDNpic.twitter.com/iWedrtE2vB
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) April 18, 2021
With the professional advice coming out over the last week regarding this issue, Muslims should feel less concerned about taking the vaccine.
If they were to not take the vaccine, this could affect the countries national effort and could lead to many missing out on their chance to be vaccinated this year.
With now over 32 million people vaccinated already, the UK government and the NHS are hoping that Ramadan will not cause a setback.
Feature image credit: Unsplash