East London Mosque joins “take vaccine” chorus

THE EAST LONDON MOSQUE has joined the long list of authorities and public figures who have urged members of the public to have the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as the NHS invites them to do so.

The Mosque quotes Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who said: “There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.” It gave thanks to the scientists who developed the vaccines and said that they were safe to use but also effective. Even if someone does contract the virus after being vaccinated, their infection will be milder as a result.

Head Imam at the East London Mosque, Shaykh Abudl Qayum – who, as many people in East London will know, is now recovering from the virus – issued the following message:

“This pandemic has been a trial for humanity, but Allah reassures us in the Qur’an that after hardship comes ease. I have listened carefully to the advice of Muslim medical experts. Let us take the vaccine when it is offered to us and pray that insha’Allah it brings us the benefit we seek. Our thoughts and prayers are with the many people who have lost loved ones, and we are grateful for the dedication and commitment of NHS and frontline workers who are helping those afflicted by COVID-19.”

●NHS England has opened 25 new vaccination centres in London as it attempts to protect the elderly and vulnerable and front line workers from the rampant virus. Among the new Centres is one in a former IKEA store in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford.

The new sites will bring the number of vaccination centres in the capital to 190 by the end of the week, with vaccinations also being offered at more than 100 GP-led sites. Over half a million vaccinations have been given in London since the programme started.

Members of the public should wait to receive their invitation to attend for vaccination, and there is no need to contact the NHS. Nor should they turn up at a vaccination centre without an appointment, as they will not be vaccinated if they are not booked in. Those who have received appointments should attend on time without being early, to avoid queues building up.

NHS England continues to stress that everyone must stay at home: the progress of the vaccination campaign has not (yet) halted the risk of contracting the virus, and Londoners must continue to be careful.

●For more information about Covid in East London, watch The Tuesday Show – streamed live at 10pm on 26th January and available afterwards as a Vodcast on the VodTalk Facebook page:
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