Moscow Mufti calls it possible to vaccinate Muslims against coronavirus during Ramadan

02 April 2021

 

Coronavirus vaccination during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when one is supposed to observe a strict fast, does not contradict the regulations of Islam. The statement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Ulema Council (theologians) of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Moscow Religious Board of Muslims Ildar Alyautdinov to TASS on Thursday.


During the month of Ramadan Muslims in the daytime refrain from eating and drinking, entertainment, as well as conjugal relations. Ramadan ends with the holiday of Uraza Bayram (Eid al-Fitr in Arabic). In 2021, Ramadan will begin, according to the Ulema Council, with sunset on April 12, and April 13 will be the first day of fasting.


"[Vaccination during the fasting month of Ramadan] does not contradict [the Islamic rules]," he said.


Earlier, the Ulema Council recognized the use of the Sputnik V vaccine as permissible in terms of Islam. Alyautdinov told TASS in February 2021 that the coronavirus vaccine, designed to preserve human life and health, may be allowed even if the vaccines contain components that are forbidden to Muslims. Three vaccines are currently registered in Russia: Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya Center of the Russian Ministry of Health, EpiVacCorona by the Vector Center of Rospotrebnadzor, and CoviVac, created by the Chumakov Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Creative Commons

Based on materials from TASS