Deputy Minister Calls for Stop Over AstraZeneca Halal Status Polemic

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi called on the public to stop the polemic over the halal status of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

“This vaccine is permitted for use because of emergency and an urgent need; containing the Covid-19 pandemic,” Zainut said in a written statement on Monday, March 22.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared a fatwa that the vaccine contained haram substance for using trypsin from pigs in its manufacturing process. However, MUI still allows the vaccine to be used.

Meanwhile, the East Java Regional Management of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) stated that the vaccine is halal because the enzyme was only used as a catalyst for the proliferation of the coronavirus.

Zainut emphasized that despite the differences in the edict, AstraZeneca is allowed for use.

According to him, maintaining the safety of the human must take precedence and priority in religious teachings. The vaccination program was expected to achieve herd immunity so that it can reduce the Covid-19 transmission rate and the community will survive the pandemic.

“That said, I appeal to all Indonesian people not to hesitate to use the AstraZeneca vaccine because it is granted the MUI’s edict and an emergency use permit from the BPOM (Food and Drug Monitoring Agency),” said Zainut.

Read: AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine Does Not Contain Pork, Producer Claims

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