Religious scholars condemn the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants for allowing a crippling disease to flourish because of their mistaken impression of the vaccine.

By Ashfaq Yusufzai

2013-12-20





PESHAWAR – Religious scholars are criticising Taliban militants for not paying any attention to fatwas issued in support of polio vaccinations.


A Pakistani polio vaccine volunteer stops a van during a vaccination campaign in Islamabad on November 26. Despite the fact that a seminary issued a fatwa in support of polio immunisations, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants continue to show no regard for the preventive measure. [Farooq Naeem/AFP]
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"The Taliban's reluctance to pay heed to the fatwas issued by religious scholars regarding vaccination of children is condemnable," said Maulana Noor Muhammad of Mardan.

"Polio vaccinators in Mardan, one of the six high-risk districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) which has 8,000 refusals in December drive, is facing threats from alleged Taliban militants, who have killed four persons in polio-related incidents in the past one year," Muhammad, a staunch supporter of vaccination, told Central Asia Online.

He puts the blame squarely at the feet of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying the militants' hard-line stance is the main reason parents refuse to get their children vaccinated.

According to a report prepared by the government, 22 health workers and 10 policemen protecting polio vaccinators have been killed by alleged militants in Karachi and KP since August 2012.

It expresses concern over Taliban's denial to allow vaccination in line of fatwa issued by Islamic scholars from time to time.

The TTP's attacks on vaccinators not only expose the children to a crippling disease but also have made the militants' claims of serving Islam doubtful, he said.

"The Taliban militants have proved themselves infidels by not paying heed to the decrees issued by the religious scholar," Muhammad said. "Islam always advocates protection of children against diseases, but the Taliban doesn't want to fulfil their religious responsibilities."
Many fatwas support anti-polio campaigns

About 150 local, national and international fatwas have been issued about polio vaccine but the situation with regard to refusals against OPV has deteriorated because of threats and attacks by the TTP. The latest was issued by Maulana Sami-ul-Haq November 1, asking the people to vaccinate their children against nine vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio.

It is highly condemnable that Taliban militants don't honour the fatwas, and Muhammad Rafiq, a teacher at the Amina religious seminary in Peshawar, said that the Taliban's disregard for religious edicts is bringing Islam into disrepute.

In 2012, UNICEF printed a booklet containing reprints of about 30 edicts in favour of vaccination to prevail upon the parents to let their children receive the vaccine.

The TTP's relentless fight against POV is the main hurdle to eradicating polio in Pakistan, Dr. Hamza Khan, of the directorate of health, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, told Central Asia Online. The situation would be drastically different if the Taliban were to abide by the pro-OPV fatwas, he said.

"We have appealed to all the people that protection of their children is their religious responsibilities," he told Central Asia Online. "The Taliban shouldn't hamper the vaccination campaign,"

Samiul Haq patron-in-chief of Darul Uloom Akora Khattak is also upset over Taliban's refusal to accept the fatwa.

"I have appealed to all the parents to vaccinate their children and fulfil their Islamic responsibility of protecting the children," he said, adding that the TTP's threats led to 4,000 refusals of OPV in his native Nowshera District this month.
Taliban unlikely to change its stance

Mustafa Hussain, head of vaccinators in Swabi District, said that showing disregard for fatwa had exposed the Taliban in the eyes of the people.

"Majority of the people now regard Taliban militants as bunch liars and infidels who abuse the name of Islam for their vested interest," he said.

In Swabi, where number of refusals swelled to 6,000 in December from 4,000 in November, people argue that Taliban are committing blunders upon blunders.

"The edicts are unlikely to make any difference as far as Taliban are present in the country," said Abdul Ghafoor, a religious scholar in Charsadda. "[But] we are going to publish literature in the light of Islamic teachings that can be used for creating demand for vaccination," he said.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only three countries where polio is endemic. So far this year, Pakistan has recorded 75 polio cases, with most coming from areas where the Taliban have influence, he said.