The minister of health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) urged his fellow Muslims to get Covid-19 vaccines even as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.
In a media forum of the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Bashary Latiph also stressed that vaccines against Covid-19 are halal.
Latiph said it is very important for his fellow Muslims to get themselves vaccinated and not to worry even they are observing Ramadan, which started on April 13.
“It is about protecting oneself and protecting people’s lives,” he added.
The BARMM official said getting vaccinated during Ramadan will not invalidate their practice of fasting.
“Hindi naman ito pampalakas ng katawan [This is not something that will energize you],” he told Muslims worried that they might break Ramadan fasting.
A total of 12,337 Muslims in the BARMM, including those in Marawi City and Lamitan in Basilan were inoculated. The total number of vaccinees under A1 category is 15,740.
Latiph said that BARMM has received Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.
He also said that Muslims from the region are allowed to join take the Hajj pilgrimage in June as long as they are vaccinated.