LAHORE: Issuing a fatwa (religious decree), Darul Ifta Pakistan on Monday declared vaccination against the coronavirus legal and permissible in accordance with Shariah, saying that it was needed to prevent the pandemic.

Addressing a joint press conference in the ofhce of Muttahida Ulema Board, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi announced the religious decree.

Flanked by dozens of ulema representing all shades of opinion, Ashrafi said, `this decree is being issued with the consent and consultationofulema,muftis and leading religious scholars of Darul Ifta Pakistan.

The fatwa states it is responsibility of every individual to get himself vaccinated, adding that vaccination is permissible in accordance with Shariah. It also asks the philanthropists to come forward and help those who cannot buy it, even with zakat.

The fatwa was issued after a series of meetings chaired by the Imam of the Kaaba, Sheilch Saleh bin Hameed, at the Islamic Jurisprudence Council in Jeddah, which operates under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also states that leading scholars Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Mufti-e-Azam of Saudi Arabia, the president of Palestine and other important Muslim leaders have beenvaccinated.