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Original poster

muslim parents refusing MMR...

38 replies

sauce · 29/01/2007 13:06

...and other vaccines for their children because they're haram (ie made from human/animal by-products).

Did anyone else see this article in the Times yesterday? What do you think?

OP posts:
hana · 29/01/2007 13:07

surely this is a personal choice regardless of ethnicity race or religion?

Original poster
sauce · 29/01/2007 13:53

I would have thought so but whole communities are at risk. It's a great shame.

OP posts:
BlueDaisy · 29/01/2007 15:46

At the risk of being lynched, I think that it is madness not to immunise against these illnesses.

Cashncarry · 29/01/2007 15:49

Plenty of parents from other religions/no religion refuse the MMR and other vaccinations. There's been loads of threads on here about vaccinations in general - there's a lot of disagreement in this area.

Think it's a bit of a red herring to talk about what religion the parents are. Better to have a constructive discussion about a parent would feel the need to go against government guidelines...

Socci · 29/01/2007 15:53

Message withdrawn

BlueDaisy · 29/01/2007 15:55

thats right, but I think the OP was just stating fact: Muslim parents in particular are not immunising their children obviously for a particualr reason. There are lots of different aspects of different debates, aren't there?

Saturn74 · 29/01/2007 15:55

Excellent post, Cashncarry.
I deeply regret allowing my children to have the MMR vaccinations.
Parents have the right to do what they believe to be the best for their children, after arming themselves with as much information as possible.

Blu · 29/01/2007 15:56

It's presumably some muslim parents....

paulaplumpbottom · 29/01/2007 16:01

You know some Christian, hindu, jewish and even atheist parents have decided against it at well.

BlueDaisy · 29/01/2007 16:03

Yes and Scientologists.

paulaplumpbottom · 29/01/2007 16:11

Almost all of them I think.

This is just more anti-islamic nonsense, lots of parents don't immunise. I don't agree with it, but I respect their religious choices. I respect their choices even if it wasn't based on religion.

Socci · 29/01/2007 16:13

Message withdrawn

Socci · 29/01/2007 16:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BlueDaisy · 29/01/2007 16:16

But why are printing facts interpreted as being racist? I can understand people interpreting it in that way in todays times, but facts are facts imo. You cant tip toe around all the time.

paulaplumpbottom · 29/01/2007 16:18

The fact is that Muslim parents aren't the only ones and shouldn't be singled out.

Socci · 29/01/2007 16:19

Message withdrawn

BlueDaisy · 29/01/2007 16:30

I appeciate that, but as Muslims make up a fair part of some communities in the UK, I dont think that she was wrong in posting it. Some of the posts seem rather patronising. But that is mumsnet at times.

Blu · 29/01/2007 16:39

There are many and complexreasons why parents choose not to vaccinate.

I did opt for the MMR for DS...but wouldn't have done had I read Jimjams' detailed posts about it and matched DS's medical hisptory. But no matter - he is fine. So, since he is vaccinated, whether other parents go for the 'herd immunity' approach or avoid jabs because they are vegan, muslim, scientists, needle-phobics, have auto-immune conditions in the family or just really bad at keeping appointments, matters not a jot to me! DS has been vaccinated!

Original poster
sauce · 29/01/2007 17:34

I wish I knew how to post a link! If you read the article, you'll understand why I posted about it. It's not just MMR, which we all know is a controversial issue for all parents, regardless of faith, re the effects such vaccines may or may not have. This is a question of "halal" and "haram". It seems yet another nail in the coffin of (dare I say it) integration.

OP posts:
Spidermama · 29/01/2007 17:36

I'm very glad that in this country they have the freedom to choose.

Original poster
sauce · 29/01/2007 17:40

Front page of main section Sunday Times: Muslims urged to shun 'unholy' vaccines.

OP posts:
Chandra · 29/01/2007 17:47

Do we have the freedom to choose? After reading the OP I started wondering about changing my denomination to see if I could avoid the pressure on those grounds.

I just got a letter from HV saying they "have taken the liberty to book an appointment for DS" and the only thing I want is somebody to look at his medical history and all the reactions he has had to previous vaccines before splurting "yeah... is perfectly safe" But I know they wouldn't, as it is more important to keep the good name of the vaccine than admiting my son (with his own particular characteristics) may react to it.

Original poster
sauce · 29/01/2007 17:48

Wow! I didn't realise you could be forced to have your kids vaccinated in the UK. That's shocking & unacceptable imo.

OP posts:
Chandra · 29/01/2007 17:56

You are not forced... but there is a good amount of pressure, as I expect there would be anywhere. I wouldn't care much about just not doing it, if I didn't need to stay in my doctor's good book for all the other things DS needs.

Blu · 29/01/2007 17:59

here

Look, I'm sorry not to be bristling with indignation or horror at nails in coffins over this, but it is one Imam saying it - there is a lower rate of vaccination in areas of high Muslim community - but my mates in Asians Women's health organisations would immediately identify that as having to do with language and other exclusion issues. And it isn't the only view on offer from the muslim clerics:

"Dr Shuja Shafi, a spokesman for the health and medical committee of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: ?In terms of ingredients in vaccines, there are so many things that are probably haram, but in the absence of an alternative we are allowed to take it for the sake of our health.?

It could be an issue, it might not be. Orthodox jewish followers have been taxed for years over the content of all sorts of obscure minor ingredients in food.

Honestly , it smacks of yet another 'mad muslim' story to me. sorry.