UAE Fatwa Council permits use of COVID-19 vaccines

File picture

The UAE Fatwa Council, under the chairmanship of Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, has issued a 'fatwa' allowing the COVID-19 vaccines to be used in compliance with Islamic Sharia’s objectives on the protection of the human body and other relevant rulings.

This comes in response to growing concerns among Muslims over the halal status of the vaccines and follows a request for an advisory opinion by Malaysia's Minister of Religious Affairs to the Council.

"Coronavirus vaccination is classified under preventive medicines for individuals, as recommended by the Islamic faith, particularly in times of pandemic diseases when the healthy happen to be prone to infections due to the high risk of contracting the disease, therefore posing risk to the entire society," the Council explained.

It added that even though the vaccine in question contains non-halal ingredients banned by Islam, it is permissible under the Islamic rule permitting the use of such products in cases where there are no alternatives.

The statement cited the highly contagious nature of the disease as a justification, owing to the dire consequences the pandemic has inflicted in terms of fatal physical and material damage.

The Council stated that concerned medical authorities and other competent experts are authorised to assess the side effects of the vaccine.

It's calling for everyone to cooperate with their respective governments to ensure the success of vaccination campaigns and respect for the preventive and precautionary measures taken in this regard.

 

More from Local News

News

  • H.H. Sheikh Mohammed honours Shabab Al Ahli team

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has honoured members of the Shabab Al Ahli football team for clinching four titles this season at a special ceremony in Zabeel Palace.

  • Khalifa Award for Education honours 18th cycle winners

    His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, was named Distinguished Educational Personality in recognition of his extensive contributions to developing the education system locally, regionally and internationally, at an award ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.

  • UAE ship carrying desalination plants arrives in Cyprus

    A UAE ship carrying water desalination plants arrived at Limassol Port in Cyprus on Thursday, to provide clean drinking water and support sustainable global water security.