Yunus Alvi / Nuh (Haryana)
Haryana's Muslim-majority Nuh is among the 50 districts of the country with the least vaccination against Covid-19. The common perception is that vaccine hesitancy in this town is because of misconceptions and common myths. In an interesting turn of events, the local madrasas and ulema of Mewat have taken the initiative to address the vaccine hesitancy of the people and ensure that Nuh becomes one of the most vaccinated towns in the country.
Due to this initiative, the percentage of vaccinated people in Nuh is increasing. The latest figures coming from there suggest that 100% vaccination has been done in 68 villages of Nuh district. Even the overall vaccination percentage in the district has increased from 37 to 58.
When Nuh was declared one among the 50 least vaccinated districts, the percentage of those who took both the vaccine shots was only 8.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern about vaccine hesitancy in these districts and asked the administration to focus on addressing this trend. He had also held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of the states and suggested they take the help of religious figures to increase vaccine coverage.
District Commissioner Shakti Singh presenting an award to Maulana Yehia Karimi
After Modi’s suggestions, the Haryana government and the Nuh district administration launched the drive with increased vigour. In a strategic move, the administration handed over the responsibility of increasing vaccination coverage to ulema who are often accused of spreading misconceptions about it.
Imams and Ulama of mosques of Punhana sub-division of Nuh district get the credit for achieving 100% vaccination. The Ulema’s message to people that they must take the vaccine jab as it is the only prevention of Covid-19 epidemic is being relayed from loudspeakers in the town and mosques. Ulema’s message is clear: It is not possible to get rid of the epidemic without applying both doses of vaccines.
This initiative has led to a movement in which the administrative officers, ulema, and students of madrasas are roaming around in groups to speak with people about the need for vaccination and spread the Message. The administration is also organizing public events for the purpose.
Under this initiative, a meeting of Imams and Ulama was held under the leadership of Hazrat Maulana Yahya Karimi, President Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh in Mecca Masjid of village Hathangan.
A gathering of Ulema on vaccine hesitancy
Maulana Yehia Karimi advised the clerics to motivate people above the age of 18 years to take both the vaccine doses to prevent
the spread of a deadly disease like Corona. He told them to tell people how the viral disease had not brought the world to a standstill even the mosque of Kaaba and Medina had become deserted. Even Hajj had to be banned due to Corona.
He told them that even today the situation is not so good. One can go for the Haj only after taking both doses of vaccines. In such a situation, the people of Mewat should show behave responsibly and take interest in vaccination and not run away from it.
He argued that after all people have taken vaccines for smallpox, measles, and polio. During this, apart from Maulana Yahya Karimi, Kapil Sharma, Senior Medical Officer, Punhana, Kanwar Lal, Naib Tehsildar Punhana, Digambar Singh Block Development, and Panchayat Officer Punhana were also present.
The consultations among the ulema on addressing vaccine hesitancy in Nuh
Maulana Mohammad Ilyas, Ustad Mohammad Hassan, Abdul Latif, Maulana Zakir Hussain, Maulana Wasim, students Mohammad Asim, Islamuddin, Mohammad Hujeda, and Mohammad Yusuf, the directors of the Islamic seminary of Jhimrawat village are leading the campaign for vaccination since Nuh district lagged in vaccination coverage.
Nuh District Deputy Commissioner Shakti Singh honored Maulana Mohammad Ilyas for his role in encouraging people to go for vaccinations He has praised Jhimrawat Islamic Madrasa for joining the initiative and changing the situation on the ground.
Given the positive initiative of Ulema, a target of 100% vaccination has been set in the Nuh district in the next 15 days. District Commissioner admits that 15 to 17 thousand vaccines are being administered daily in the district these days. He said 60 villages have already got 100 percent coverage.
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