14 May,2021 06:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
A person is vaccinated at Nair hospital on Thursday. Pic/Suresh Karkera
As the Muslim community marks a low-key Eid due to the restrictions today, prominent voices are calling for those hesitant to take the vaccine, to give themselves the most meaningful Eid gift in these times, by taking it.
Iqbal Shaikh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retd)
"That is a sure shot way to celebrate, with the accent on the shot," laughed Iqbal Shaikh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retd). Shaikh added, "The best way to mark Eid would be to register oneself for the vaccine shot. Do look at the larger picture which is the benefit of vaccines. Let us put rationality and reasoning above rumours, that the vaccine is dangerous, or that our religion does not permit us to take it. Look at the issue through a scientific prism, not a religious one." The former top cop cautioned, "Let us also celebrate today by adhering to all guidelines even when visiting family or friends. Social distancing, masks and hygiene is a must at very small gatherings, for instance, in a home too."
Both Shaikh and emergency specialist at Hinduja Hospital, Dr Mir Shahid Saleem, cited that in Islam it is in fact said, "When there is a pandemic/plague do not enter that land. If you are in that place where the pandemic is raging, do not leave it." This means, "you avoid infecting others," explained Dr Mir. The doctor added, "In Islam it is also said that if we save the life of a single human being, you are saving entire humanity. By taking the vaccine one is saving oneself and, in that way, saving others so you are going by the tenets of the faith."
Dr Safdar Husain Khan, sports physician with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said, "There was hesitancy within the community at first, because of the accounts that had been highlighted of adverse reactions to the vaccine. Several persons asked me, if doctors are not taking the shot, why should we?" Today though, the physician said, "That sentiment is disappearing. One way to encourage and reinforce that changing mindset is to spread the message that we are going to defeat the virus only with the vaccine. At least 80 per cent of people need to be vaccinated to start winning the confrontation against Corona. Eid is a fitting occasion for that."
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For Dr Kamran Khan, it is an overarching look at humanity. Dr Khan, an onco-surgeon at Saifee Hospital said, "The Covid-19 pandemic should teach us the truth about Vasudeva Kutumbakam (all mankind is one family). As the Quran states in Chapter 21, verse 92: VERILY, (Oh You who believe in God) this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: follow my commands [alone]!
Dr Khan addressed schisms driven by falsities designed to strike unfounded fears and create fissures. He said, "For once, God cannot be found in places of worship but in the sick, hungry suffering humanity where God always existed. It is we who were looking in the wrong place."
Khan added, "It is impossible that God the ever compassionate should create Science and then ask us to be unscientific and inconsiderate to our fellow human beings. It is high time that humanity commits itself to the discovery of scientific and spiritual truth and is not mislead by narrow minded preaching."
"Let us celebrate our oneness this Eid and recognise this oneness as the greatest blessing of God to stand for truth, justice, Science and cure the earth of blind faith, worship of falsehood and hatred, human exploitation, suffering and ecological destruction," he added. The surgeon, as skilled on the surgical table, as with words, signed off, "Let us empower our children with the truth of science and spirituality."
