The highest Islamic authority in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a decision that allows Muslims to receive vaccines against the coronavirus containing pig gelatine, the Emirates News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The consumption of pig products is considered haram, or prohibited, for Muslims according to Islamic law. Despite this, the Fatwa Council of the United Arab Emirates issued an Islamic decision, or fatwa, this week explaining that Muslims can receive coronavirus vaccines containing “non-halal” or disallowed ingredients, such as pork gelatin, in the absence of alternatives.
Council President Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah cited the greatest need to “protect the human body” during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The council noted that pork gelatine, in this case, is considered a medicine, not a food.
“Coronavirus vaccination is classified as preventive medication for individuals, as advocated by the Islamic faith, especially in times of pandemics, when healthy people become subject to infections due to the high risk of contracting the disease, generating risk for all society, ”said the Fatwa Council of the United Arab Emirates, according to Saudi Arabia al-Arabiya.
“Since COVID-19 [Chinese coronavirus] it is a highly contagious disease that puts thousands of lives at risk, the use of vaccines is acceptable, ”said the Emirates News Agency quoting the council.
Pork-derived gelatine is widely used in vaccines as a stabilizer; it is intended to ensure that vaccines remain safe and effective throughout transport and storage.
The UAE Fatwa Council’s decision this week comes amid growing concern that the use of pig gelatine in coronavirus vaccines could hamper immunization efforts among Muslims. Islam considers the consumption of pork products religiously impure.
In Indonesia, where the world’s largest Muslim population lives, some Muslims are still hesitant to receive vaccines containing pig gelatine “even when the Muslim authority issues guidelines saying they are allowed,” the Associated Press reported on December 20.
The governments of other nations in Southeast and South Asia with large Muslim populations, such as Malaysia and Pakistan, responded to this reluctance by enacting stricter laws that require parents to vaccinate their children or face penalties, including fines and prison terms.
Indonesia has already said it will include the country’s main Muslim clerical body during the government’s certification process and acquisition of the coronavirus vaccine.
“We must consider the public perception about the halal status of the potential COVID-19 [Chinese coronavirus] vaccines, ”said Indonesian President Joko Widodo in October.
“Public communication on halal status, price, quality and distribution must be well prepared,” added Widodo.