This Friday, MUI Holds Halal Fatwa Meeting On COVID-19 Vaccines

Illustration of the COVID-19 vaccine (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Fatwa and Halal Affairs Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) will hold a fatwa hearing regarding whether the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac from China is halal or not.

Asrorun Niam, Head of MUI for Fatwa and Halal Affairs, said the trial would be held on Friday, January 8 tomorrow.

"InsyaAllah, tomorrow the fatwa commission plenary meeting will discuss the Sinovac vaccine," said Sholeh as quoted by Antara in Jakarta, Thursday, January 7.

Niam said the trial would be attended by the leadership and members of the MUI Fatwa Commission.

The public has long awaited the decision on the halal vaccine fatwa. Currently the government, through the relevant ministries, is distributing vaccines throughout Indonesia.

Apart from MUI, the BPOM vaccine emergency use authorization (UEA) is still awaited. If published, the vaccination process may be carried out.

The EUA will legitimize the safety and efficacy of vaccines, while the halal fatwa will serve as the basis for sharia vaccines. Halal products are very important for Muslims in Indonesia because they are related to the dimensions of worship.

Previously, Niam said the safety and halal vaccines were one unit. "This toyiban halalan is one unit. Do not let the ingredients be halal, but they are not safe, so they cannot be used, "he said.