Fatwah for family planning

Three weeks ago, in Davao City, a national fatwah (an Islamic canonical decision) was announced before an assembly of 200 religious leaders. The edict finally puts to rest the issue of whether planning one’s family is right or wrong. It declares "the permissibility of family planning (as it) is for the welfare of the mother and the child and for the couple to raise saleh – godly children who are pious, healthy, educated, useful, and well-behaved citizens."

Sheikh Omar Pasigan Modammad, mufti of the Central Mindanao Darul-Iftah, told the assembled leaders that the fatwah "is a lifetime opportunity for all of us to prove our relevance and concern in the future Muslim generation. As leaders and influentials in our own rights, we are in an assembly to act on pressing issues that have social, economic, environmental, cultural and religious significance to us, individually, and to our families."

The presentation of the fatwah marked the culmination of eight years of hard work of Muslim religious leaders (MRLs) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Under a program sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Department of Health, the MRLs assisted provincial heath offices in providing information, and education to Muslim families about family planning and reproductive health and encouraging them to go to the nearest health facility to avail themselves of FP/RH services.

The religious leaders also mobilized fellow MRLs and other community leaders aimed at the issuance of a national fatwah. Dr. Zahidul Huque, UNFPA representative, related in a statement that from 1998 to 2002, 75 religious leaders were sent to Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and Bangladesh to look at their reproductive health and family planning programs. Last year, the Darul-Iftah (House of Islamic Opinion) drafted the fatwah, with funding and technical support from USAID, especially the Academy for Educational Development (AED). Several religious leaders went to Egypt to show the Grand Mufti the draft of the fatwah which was launched in Davao City.

Tom M. Osias, executive director, Commission on Population, Dr. Parouk Hussein, ARMM governor-on-leave and senatorial candidate, and Dr. Lampa Pandi, DOH-ARRM health secretary, shared the same opinion about the relevance of the fatwah. ARMM and Northern Mindanao face the most severe dangers of death from pregnancy complications due to poverty, poor nutrition and closely spaced births.

A regional profile places the Philippine population at 76,498.735, and of this, 2,951,888 are found in the two areas. While the national population growth rate is 2.36, in the two areas, it’s 3.86. National life expectancy at birth is 67.2, and at the two areas, it’s 57.1.

These two regions have the highest rate of maternal deaths – as many as 200 to 300 women who give birth each year die from aggravated pregnancies and childbirths. Infant mortality is also highest – 55 babies born every year die at birth.

Osias said that 30 per cent of married women in the areas who want to practice family planning cannot do so for lack of services. "We need to help ARMM inch up from the bottom of the Philippine human development index, and this will happen with a sound reproductive health program."

The fatwah declares that all methods of contraception are allowed "as long as they are safe, legal, in accordance with the Islamic Shariah, and approved by a credible physician, preferably a Muslim." Abortion is not allowed by the fatwah.

My column on Thursday will carry statements from Muslim women on family planning.

Want to watch a comedy presentation on the presidential candidates? Watch "Electile Dysfunction," a product of the fertile mind of Rama at Sita director Leo Rialp. It was first shown last December, but due to public clamor, it’s going to be re-staged March 31 and April 1 at the Music Museum in Greenhills.

The rib-tickler features Noni Buencamino as Paltik Pinky Lason, Patricia Ismael as Ate Flow Makapagal Ayoko; Raul Manteon as Fernan Dopol Jr.; Robia Guevarra as Daaaaagul Lorn, Rubby Garovilla as Bossing, and Chan Arespacochaga as Angel Boobah. Boy Abunda plays God.

Top-rated comedian-impersonator Jon Santos portrays six characters – Teddy Bellasnuevas, Kabayad Sosi Decaso, Senadors Lukring Leguardia, Marian Defensive Santuario and Kris Kangino. Joey Paras essays the role of Everyman.

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