Muslim leaders tapped in COVID-19 vaccine info drive

The government is tapping various Muslim leaders in the country to take part in the COVID-19 vaccine information campaign.

This, after the Department of Health (DOH) partnered with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to promote and help explain the COVID-19 national vaccination program rollout, particularly in Muslim communities across the country.

In response, NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan said the commission has consulted with the ulama (Muslim scholars) sector and imams to include their faith-based groups in the vaccination campaign.

"Islam emphasizes the need to protect life, and the use of the vaccine and its timely distribution will help the entire world control the pandemic that has already claimed 2.3 million lives worldwide, with more than 11,000 of those deaths coming from the Philippines," Pangarungan said..

He said the DOH has offered to organize limited face-to-face or virtual town hall meetings to further discuss the government's vaccination plan and the benefits of the COVID-19 jabs to the people.

"DOH experts, NCMF officials, and representatives from the ulama sector will be available to speak with the public in person or online," he said. "Such discussions may also be done during Friday Prayer [Araw ng Jumuah] by the community and religious leaders."

Religious leaders should explain that the prevailing threat of the virus has prompt the experts to create the vaccines, while the government is exerting all efforts to acquire equitable access to vaccine supplies.

He said Muslim leaders should educate the people about the efficacy of vaccination against the COVID-19 infection.

They should be able to communicate to the communities that getting a vaccine shot may not eliminate the risk of being infected, however, being vaccinated could reduce possible developing complications in the human body when contracting the virus.

"Any substance that will effectively and safely protect people is considered halal, especially if it is the only viable option at present," Pangarungan added.

He said the NCMF is also planning to do massive information drives within communities covered by the commission's regional and field offices.