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POLIO: Muslims are the worst sufferers
16-07-2006
London, Council of Indian Muslims:
Muslims are the worst sufferers from Polio and Madarsas have played a very positive role in reducing the cases of this disabling disease in India.
This information was provided by Dr Zubair Meenai, Associate Professor and Project Director of the Advocacy Project at Jamia Millia Islamia. Delhi.
Advocacy Project, aiming at eradicating Polio was jointly launched by the UNICEF, WHO, Government of India and three Universities: Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Hamdard and Aligarh Muslim University three years ago.
Addressing a reception organised by Council of Indian Muslims — UK (CIM), Dr Meenai said that in 2003 there were 225 cases of Polio in India, of which 86 % were Muslims. In July 2006 total number came to 60 out of which 72 % were Muslims. He said this improvement in health was the hard work of the Advocacy Project and positive support by the Ulema of Darul Uloom Deoband, Nadwatul Ulema of Lucknow, All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
Dr Meenai said, “This is very unfortunate that rumours are being spread that in Polio drops elements have been added that would destroy the procreative potency of the children when they grew up.
“Interestingly there is no scientific or any other evidence to prove this point.” Dr Meenai said.
Responding to a question Dr Meenai said, “Initially, we had the support of Mazahirul Uloom of Saharanpur as well but after the death of a well known and influencial alim, who had actively participated in our campaign, we faced a setback. So much so that two days ago my colleagues in Delhi sent me press clippings according to which some Ulema at Mazahirul Uloom have issued a fatwa that if polio drops contained napak (unholy) elements and if it could harm the procreative potency of future generations than it is haram (forbidden). However, from the very beginning Darul Uloom Deoband has maintained that it was the duty of scientists and doctors, and not of the ulema, to find out the truth behind these rumours.”
Dr Meenai said that the new controversy might have adverse affect on the new phase of anti-Polio campaign in western UP in the next few months and the risk to the health of the community would be increased.
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