A cordial meeting took place between the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyib on one side, and Hussien al-Gazaery on behalf of Dr Margaret Chan the General Manager of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Naima al-Gasseer who represents the WHO in Egypt, on the other
A cordial meeting took place between the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyib on one side, and Hussien al-Gazaery on behalf of Dr Margaret Chan the General Manager of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Naima al-Gasseer who represents the WHO in Egypt, on the other. The meeting was successful in gaining the support of al Azhar, based on an Islamic point of view on the use of vaccines for children.
This meeting came after stories circulated in several Islamic countries, mainly Pakistan and Nigeria, that the vaccines, especially the polio vaccine, lead to infertility and paralysis. The Grand Imam confirmed that the polio vaccine ensures the well being of the people, and has the added advantage of saving thousands of dollars that would otherwise be spent on healthcare and treatment.
Dr Gasseer explained that this situation does not apply to Egypt; polio has been eradicated in Egypt, and the last polio vaccine campaign in April 2012 was a great success.
Following the meeting, the Islamic Research Academy issued a statement warning Muslims from listening to or following opinions that prohibit the use of polio vaccines.
According to Dr Gasseer, the WHO approached al-Azhar for its moderate Islamic stances and for the great impact it has on peoples of the Islamic World, who hold in high respect.
Watani International
9 July 2012