Vice President Ma’ruf Amin urged the COVID-19 vaccination program in Islamic boarding schools, also known as pesantren, to reach 100 per cent, in order to achieve herd immunity. “We expect all students and teachers to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity,” Amin said while observing a direct learning session at the Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School on Thursday.

He appealed to all pesantren students and teachers to protect themselves from COVID-19, which is also a religious issue.

“For us, especially within a pesantren, protecting ourselves by following health protocols and getting vaccinated is not only a health issue but also a religious issue,” he stressed.

Referring to preacher Syekh Nawawi Al Bantani, Amin said in some cases, taking care of oneself from the disease is a part of “maqasid syariah” or ultimate objectives of the sharia.

“One of the Islamic sharia’s ultimate objectives is protecting oneself from its transmission besides protecting religion, sense and property,” he added.

As many as 365 teachers and some 949 students have been fully vaccinated at the Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School.

During his visit, Amin also observed 360 students being vaccinated by health workers from the Ulujami Public Health Center (Puskesmas).

He noted he supported such vaccination campaigns for Muslims at boarding schools, to curb the COVID-19 transmission rate nationally.

“I support the acceleration of the vaccination campaign for all managers, teachers, administrators, staff and students to stem the COVID-19 transmission rate, as well as staying disciplined in observing the 3 meter rule in the health protocols,” he said in conclusion.

Source: Antara News