March 16, 2020
Amid the current global crisis the entire world is facing as a result of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), officially announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic, the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide stressed the necessity of shouldering the responsibility and showing global solidarity to counter this virus. The General Secretariat stated that countering the pandemic must be through undertaking the necessary policies and following medical instructions announced by official health organizations and institutions for protection and treatment.
In a news statement, the General Secretariat called on people and the entire international community to raise awareness and adhere to the highest levels of sanitation to ward off dangers. It is necessary, the news statement clarified, to follow health guidelines announced by official institutions and stay away from gatherings including congregations in the houses of worship. According to Islamic law, it is permissible to offer prayers at home in the event of natural disasters such as floods, storms, epidemics and infectious diseases. As for circulating rumors, the General Secretariat warned people against exploiting this global crisis to stir horror in the communities, instead people should help one another to overcome this difficult time.
From his part, Dr. Ibrahim Negm, the Secretary-General for the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, stated that the current global crisis requires that all governments worldwide must undertake the responsibility to protect their people and give precedence to the public interests over private concerns to limit the spread of this infectious virus. “Achieving personal gains through monopoly and raising the prices of essential goods and medical requirements is prohibited in Islamic law and is considered an act of treason,” Dr. Negm said.
The General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide is a global umbrella that gathers all Fatwa authorities with 60 members from different continents.
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