Religious Minister: Vaccination is Part of Religious Teachings

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 12 Januari 2021
Category: News
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Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas delivers press statement when welcoming raw materials for 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Tangerang, Banten. (Source: Screenshot of Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel)

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has called on the public to participate in the vaccination program as part of practicing religious teachings, namely to protect each other.

“All religions, without exception, teach us to protect each other and vaccination is part of an effort to carry out these religious teachings,” he said when welcoming raw materials for 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Tangerang city in Banten province.

The vaccination program itself, he added, is the Government’s effort to protect its citizens.

The Minister went on to say that the COVID-19 vaccine has obtained a halal status from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

“It means that this vaccine can be used for all Muslims as its safety is guaranteed according to a credible and competent expert,” he added.

The Minister also emphasized that vaccines are not drugs but rather preventive efforts; thus, people still need to follow health protocols (wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing, avoiding crowds, and washing hands) even after they get vaccinated.

“Vaccination is not a drug but a preventive measure. Therefore, it must be carried out while still following health protocols,” he said. (TGH/UN) (EST/EP)

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