BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — Religious leaders and health officials in Baltimore County are letting their communities know that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine anytime during Ramadan, when it is customary for Muslim adults to fast from dawn to dusk, will not violate the religious obligation.
"We've received a lot of questions from people," said Dr. Zainab Chaudry. "We want to reassure our communities that absolutely, it is permissible. Islamic scholars across the spectrum have agreed it is permissible. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly. There is no nutritional value to it, so it does not invalidate the fast."
Similar questions have been posed overseas.
In Bahrain, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs under the leadership of Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa ruled earlier this week that the inoculation presents no problem during the month-long holiday
Here in Maryland the state has partnered with various religious groups, including the Islamic Center of Maryland to host vaccine sites.
Earlier this week a mosque in Gaithersburg hosted a vaccination clinic. Another is planned for Saturday.
"They were able to hold vaccination clinics on site," said Chaudry. "We have had Community members in those communities who have been able to easily access vaccines but we’re still working on making sure that others that other community members across the state are doing their part to end the pandemic by getting vaccinated."
