**Religious Leaders Endorse Childhood Vaccinations During Bannu Awareness Seminar**
Religious scholars and health officials came together at Madrasa Nizam-ul-Uloom Orphanage in Bannu to emphasize the importance of childhood immunization, highlighting that vaccination is consistent with Islamic teachings and that parents should ensure their children are protected against preventable diseases.
The event, organized by the Community Development Project (CDP) in partnership with UNICEF as part of the Big Catch-up Immunization Campaign, featured a panel of prominent speakers including Shaykh-ul-Hadith Mufti Imdadullah, Mufti Izzazullah Haqqani, API Assistant Coordinator Rasool Jan, and CDP Chief Executive Faiz-ur-Rehman Mishal. Addressing students and teachers, the speakers reiterated that Islam places strong emphasis on cleanliness, health, and preventive care, and no religious constraints exist regarding government-administered vaccines for children.
The panel noted that the government provides free vaccines to protect children from 12 potentially fatal diseases from birth to the age of five, bearing all associated costs. They urged parents to seize this opportunity, reminding the audience that the government expends substantial resources for the health and safety of the community’s children.
Furthermore, participants were encouraged to play an active role in spreading awareness about the benefits of vaccination throughout their communities, ensuring that no child is left unprotected. The speakers called on madrasa teachers and students to deliver this message home-to-home, supporting the government’s efforts to reach every eligible child and effectively utilize the resources dedicated to the immunization campaign.
The seminar concluded with special prayers for the country’s safety and for improvements in the current law and order situation.
