South Yorkshire Muslims urged to keep Covid vaccine appointments during Ramadan
The holy month gets underway this week
As Ramandan gets underway, Muslims in South Yorkshire are being urged to keep their Covid vaccine appointments despite hesitancy about having the jab during the holy month.
It involves fasting between sunrise and sunset but experts and faith leaders are reassuring those observing it that getting vaccinated is still allowed.
Dr Yasar Khan's a GP in Sheffield - he says it's important to get the message out there:
"There is some hesitancy among many Muslims. But I can reassure them - I'm speaking as a GP but also as a Muslim - having a vaccine during the month of Ramandan will not invalidate their fast.
"The British Muslim Medical Association have reviewed the teachings of quite renowned Muslim scholars and they've said that having a vaccine during the month of Ramadan will not invalidate the fast.
"I'm a Muslim myself and I would not go for something which is against my religion. I would just request them, urge them please if they've got their appointment from the NHS during the month of Ramadan, please go for it. This is the only way we can save ourselves and save other people around us."
Dr Khan's been part of efforts in the city to reach all communities with the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and tackle vaccine hesitancy.
He's been recording videos in Punjabi to reassure Muslims during Ramadan that they can still get the jab.
He says it's having an impact:
"For some people it takes time for them to understand the full facts. I've been giving these in their own languages and I think it's much easier for them to understand when you convey a message in their own native language. I'm sure it will make a difference."
"Being a member of an ethnic minority myself, we all know that we're at a high risk of having this virus anyway. Unless people get both vaccines they will not be fully protected."