Muslim Ulamas against proposed two-child policy

DAVAO CITY — The Muslim Ulamas in the country are strongly against the two-child being proposed policy to address the problem of population explosion.

"We vehemently oppose the proposal since it is against our Islamic beliefs," said Mahmod Adilao, Southern Mindanao regional chairman of the Ulama League of the Philippines.

Adilao stressed that Filipino Muslims are already practicing family planning based on the official Islamic canonical decision (fatwah) on reproductive health and family planning.

"We are not against family planning because we are also practicing it but what we could not take is that we are dictated upon to limit our children to only two and then there is also that other proposal of five-year spacing," Adilao said.

The fatwah, which allows the use of natural and artificial contraceptive methods except for tubal ligation and vasectomy, was announced last January by the Grand Mufti of Egypt and the Grand Shiekh of Al-Azhar University and was officially implemented last March in the Philippines.

Adilao said those crafting the proposed policies on the two-child and five-year spacing of births should coordinate with the various religious groups in the country, including those professing Islamic beliefs.

Besides, he said, the Islamic fatwah on reproductive health and family planning is anchored on the principles of non-coercion, responsible parenthood and informed choice.

The Islamic fatwah likewise stated that all methods of contraception are allowed as long as they are safe, in accordance with the Islamic Shariah and approved by a credible physician, preferrably a Muslim, for the benefit of both mother and child.

Adilao said the economic problems in the country could not be solved by insisting on the two-child policy but by curbing corruption.