Muslim clerics encourage community members to get vaccinated

Hyderabad: Muslim religious leaders urged the community members to follow social distancing, wear masks and get vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19. Speaking at a virtual panel discussion on 'Ramzan - a cross cultural experience', organised on Friday by the US Consulate General Hyderabad, religious leaders said that COVID-19 has impacted the whole world with many families facing suffering and death.

During the event, Maulana Mufti Mohammed Omar Abideen, deputy director of Madrasa Al Mahad ul Aali Al Islami, said "When it comes to saving your health, you should definitely avail every available medical help. The scientists and experts believe that COVID vaccination is the only solution to beat the virus and we should follow their lead."

Mufti Mahmood Zubair Qasmi, general secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, requested everyone to stay home and avoid gatherings to minimize the spread of COVID-19. "Please perform prayers at home and don't gather in large numbers in the markets for Ramadan shopping," he appealed and added that Islam teaches mankind to follow precautions and practice quarantine in such situations.

Prof M.A. Muqtedar Khan, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Delaware, urged Muslim clerics to appeal to the community to get vaccinated. Mufti Zubair said that during previous Ramadan Muslims channelised their annual zakat fund to help people caught in the pandemic. "Similarly, this year too, I urge Muslims to spend a portion of zakat fund to help those suffering from COVID-19," Prof Khan said.

He also said that Muslims in the United States have aggressively taken part in community services and mosques and churches were used as community help centres to help people affected by the pandemic.

Mufti Mahmood Zubair Qasmi, general secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, requested everyone to stay home and avoid gatherings to minimize the spread of COVID-19David Moyer, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General Hyderabad, said "Over the past two years Muslims of the United States have been tirelessly leading our combined efforts to fight COVID-19, playing a pioneering role in vaccine development and serving as frontline health care workers." He said the pandemic has made it difficult for friends and loved ones to gather in celebration and prayer, and far too many families sit down for Iftar with their loved ones missing.