Mufti tells parents to get tahfiz students vaccinated

 

It is the parents duty to ensure that their children are vaccinated, says Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: With over 70% of students in Islamic schools in Penang yet to get their Covid-19 vaccine, the state mufti has urged parents to act immediately.

Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said that with 10 vaccination centres slated to close in the state by Oct 31, parents must act quickly to get their children vaccinated.

Today, the Penang government revealed that only 27% of the students in tahfiz, sekolah menengah agama rakyat (SMAR) and pondok schools had received at least one dose of the vaccine, while almost 73% have yet to be vaccinated at all.

Speaking to FMT, Wan Salim said the national fatwa committee had decreed that vaccines are halal and obligatory.

“The hukum on vaccine is harus (permissible) in normal circumstances but if one is sure or suspects that he or she carries the risk of infecting oneself or others, then the hukum turns into wajib (obligatory). This is also because Islam bars its adherents from exposing oneself to harm and to harm others.

“As we all know, the government has ordered everyone to get vaccinated in order to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Islam makes its mandatory for its adherents to follow instructions on matters that are good and beneficial as a whole,” he said, quoting the relevant passage from the Quran.

“Besides, there are hundreds of hadith that command Muslims to obey their leaders as long as they are not ordered to commit sins or disobey Allah.”

Wan Salim said that as responsible parents, it was their duty to ensure that children are inoculated.

Earlier today, Penang health committee chairman Norlela Ariffin said there were 5,654 students in Islam-related education institutions in Penang, with tahfiz schools having the most (2,659).

However, only 7.5% of the 2,659 have been vaccinated. Nearly 60% of the 1,834 SMAR students have received their vaccines but only 20% of the 1,161 pondok school students have received theirs.

In contrast, 89.3% of the 126,452 students who attend national schools have received their first dose and will start receiving their second dose from today. - FMT