When rumors and fear blocked the way, Punjab’s scholars stepped forward. From the pulpits of mosques to the streets, their voices played a role in saving hundreds of children from disabilities.
Pakistan is one of the few countries where the polio virus is still crippling children. Although most countries in the world have eradicated the virus, the campaign against polio in Pakistan is a continuous struggle. This struggle is being fought not only on the medical level but also on the social, intellectual and religious fronts. In this context, the role of religious scholars is very important because their influence in shaping public consciousness is profound and lasting.

Polio: An ongoing threat

Polio is an infectious disease that can leave children with lifelong disabilities. When the polio eradication campaign began in Pakistan in 1994, the public response was initially mixed. Many parents refused to vaccinate their children based on suspicion, while vaccination teams were attacked in some areas.

Then came a time when parents’ hearts trembled at the mention of polio. This disease, which crippled innocent children, was nothing short of a torment.

Scholars: Part of the problem or the solution?

Resistance to the polio campaign by religious groups was based on several reasons. In some quarters, there was a widespread perception that the polio vaccine was a Western conspiracy to genocide Muslims. US drone strikes in the tribal areas, doubts about the use of the vaccination campaign after the capture of Osama bin Laden, and conspiracy theories in the media made the polio campaign more difficult.

However, over time, there was a clear change in the role of the scholars. Many prominent scholars understood that polio was a serious disease and its only cure was vaccination. Thus, they became supporters of the campaign.

Positive intervention of scholars

Over time, awareness has paved the way, and now in the ongoing war against this deadly disease in Punjab, our scholars, the standard-bearers of religion, have emerged as frontline soldiers.
The Pakistan Ulema Council, Tanzeem Al-Madaris, and other religious institutions have played a clear and positive role in the campaign against polio. In 2014, the Pakistan Ulema Council issued a formal fatwa declaring the polio vaccine “Shariah permissible.” This fatwa was accepted by several religious groups and a process of raising awareness among the public began.

Renowned religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel has supported vaccination in his sermons on several occasions and appealed to parents to get their children vaccinated to protect them from disabilities. Similarly, scholars like Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman and Maulana Rafi Usmani have also supported government institutions in this regard.

Punjab: A promising scenario

Pakistan is still one of the few countries where polio has yet to be completely eradicated. However, the good news is that Punjab, which was once criticized for refusing vaccines, is now leading the fight. While thousands of cases of vaccine refusal were reported in 2022, this number has decreased by 80 percent in 2024, and the main reason for this change is the awareness-based message of the clerics.

Pakistan’s fight against polio has spanned decades, but a new and encouraging turn in the struggle came when scholars stepped in to help dispel misconceptions in society. Especially in Punjab province , where scholars played an unparalleled role in polio campaigns through education, social outreach, and religious influence.

The darkness of ignorance, the light of awareness

This fight against polio in Punjab is not just a medical one, it is also an intellectual and spiritual battle. When a religious scholar says that “saving a child’s life is an obligation”, the people listen to him wholeheartedly. And perhaps this is the reason why Punjab is now close to turning the dream of a polio-free Pakistan into a reality.

Public health experts believe that resistance to vaccines is often based on religious concerns, rumors, or social distrust. In a densely populated province like Punjab, where the influence of clerics is prominent from village to city, polio vaccination sometimes becomes not just a medical issue but also a social and intellectual one.

This is where the role of the scholars came to the fore as a ray of light. In cities like Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi, the voice in favor of the vaccine was raised at the level of Friday sermons, religious gatherings, and madrassas. This campaign not only gained acceptance but also instilled confidence among the people.

Jamia Naeemiyah: Where religious knowledge harmonized with scientific consciousness

The steps taken by Lahore’s great religious school, Jamia Naeemi, in the polio campaign are worthy of imitation. When its rector, Maulana Raghib Hussain Naeemi, organized a seminar on the topic of “Islam and Health,” a river of knowledge flowed. He said: :

” Conspiracies against the polio vaccine are actually conspiracies of hostility towards humanity. Sharia law says that saving lives is a duty, and we are fulfilling that duty.”

South Punjab: Lights of Light

South Punjab, which was previously shrouded in the darkness of ignorance, is now being illuminated by the rays of awareness. When Maulana Imtiaz-ul-Hassan of Bahawalpur addressed the parents of children at Madrasa Rasheediya, his words touched the hearts. :

” Prayer is necessary to protect against polio , but along with prayer, medicine is also necessary.” ”

This was the moment when the audience’s eyes became moist, and a candle of trust was lit in their hearts.

Friday Sermons: Echoing Consciousness from the Pulpit to the People

When the message against polio was echoed in Friday sermons in over 18,000 mosques in Punjab, a new truth began to resonate in the air. The “Ittihad-e-Bain-Masalik Ulema Board” issued a statement that transcended differences. :

” The polio vaccine is a blessing, and denying it is blasphemy.” ”

These words reached millions of hearts and thousands of parents decided to vaccinate their children.

The Story of Rawalpindi: One Mosque, One Sermon, One Revolution

In the crowded streets of the ancient city of Rawalpindi, where glimpses of history are visible at every turn, an incident occurred that became an example for the national campaign against polio.

Maulana Hafiz Iqbal Rizvi , a respected preacher and imam at a local mosque, stepped in when polio teams in his area faced resistance from parents. According to the Maulana, “When the teams came to me, I saw disappointment on their faces. Parents were victims of rumors. But religion teaches us to gain knowledge, and protect life. ”

He narrated the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his Friday sermon and said: ” Tie the camel and put your trust in Allah. ”

” . They said that the polio vaccine is like tying a camel—it is our responsibility.”

After this sermon, the Maulana himself went door to door with the polio team. He reassured parents, especially mothers and the elderly, that Islam allows vaccination and that it is a religious requirement to protect the health of children.

A father who initially refused the vaccine gave his permission after listening to the Maulana. “When he explained in the light of faith, my heart felt at ease,” the father said.
Today, health officials consider Maulana Hafiz Iqbal Rizvi a key pillar of their community engagement strategy. His presence and conversations have not only dispelled fear but also saved thousands of children from disabilities.

Religion and Health: A New Partnership

Recent National Immunization Days in Punjab (NIDs) It was observed that whenever resistance increased in an area, local clerics played an effective role. According to the Punjab Health Department , in areas where clerics delivered sermons or participated in awareness campaigns, the success rate of polio teams exceeded 90 percent.
At a time when the world considers science and religion to be antagonistic to each other, Punjab has proven that when these two forces come together, not only is it possible to eradicate diseases but also to create a peaceful, healthy, and informed society.

Challenges still remain.

Although the situation is improving, the challenges are not completely gone. Even today, vaccination is viewed with suspicion in some rural and underdeveloped areas. Fake news and videos on social media are shaking public confidence.

In addition, a certain segment of scholars still consider vaccination unnecessary or questionable, which undermines government efforts. This situation requires more scholarly dialogue, awareness campaigns, and continued religious guidance.

Result: A collective jihad

The fight against polio is not just the responsibility of the government, doctors or foreign organizations, but of the entire nation. And the role of scholars in guiding the nation is the most effective. When knowledge, awareness and accurate information are given to the public from the pulpit of a mosque, then society automatically moves towards improvement.

Pakistan can be polio-free—if all of us, especially our scholars, embrace this health “jihad” with sincerity. Make vaccination a religious duty and make it widespread, so that every child can be protected from disability and we can move towards a healthy future.

Zufishan Zulfiqar;
Zoyazulfiqar616@gmail.com