Islamic body issues ruling on BARMM family planning program

COTABATO CITY  – The Regional Darul Ifta (Islamic House of Opinion) today issued ruling on the implementation of the government’s reproductive health and family planning programs.

Health programs for the Bangsamoro region are now in accordance with the teachings of Islam after the Darul Ifta issued “fatwa” (Islamic rulings) on reproductive health and family planning, including the expanded program on immunization.

The issuance of fatwa was a product of the series of consultations conducted by the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM).

Health programs implemented across the region are now contextualized for the BARMM and in harmony with the teachings of Islam, according to BARMM Health Minister Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan.

Dipatuan said “fatwa” is an Arabic term on Islamic ruling that must be observed by every Muslim. The fatwa released on Tuesday shall guide Muslim communities on proper family planning and on how to ensure their reproductive health are implemented according to Islam.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim emphasized that he wanted to ensure that Muslim families must have the freedom to decide on the health services they shall receive.

In addition to the launching of the “fatwa,” the MOH also introduced an expanded program on immunizations.

"We will make sure the immunization is halal, because halal in Islam is what is good on human beings," Ebrahim said.

Dipatuan lauded the RDI for the “fatwa” and urged all stakeholders in the region to work together with health providers for successful implementation of government programs.

BARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanoa del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, Lamitan and the 63 barangays of North Cotabato.