In a statement today, he said the federal and state governments should not be the only agencies promoting and encouraging Covid-19 vaccinations among Muslims.

During the 68th meeting of the national council for Islamic religious affairs (MKI) this morning, he emphasised that religious state authorities must ramp up awareness campaigns on the benefits of getting vaccinated.

He also noted that in December, a special muzakarah committee for MKI agreed that the Covid-19 vaccine is obligatory for groups that have been identified by the government and permissible for others.

Religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri previously said the decision made by the committee was also presented to Conference of Rulers.

Zulkifli pointed out that the use of vaccines to protect humans from dangerous diseases is not new in syarak (Islamic law), adding that it was considered ‘maslahah’, or in the best interest of the public.

Health minister Dr Adham Baba had previously said the ministry would clampdown on vocal “anti-vaxxers”, adding that people are not allowed to publicly campaign against vaccination.

“Anti-vax” opinions and propaganda have claimed, among others, that the vaccines are not halal.