Indonesian Ulama Promote Family Planning

CAIRO — Indonesia's influential Muslim scholars have joined the government-led drive to promote family planning among the people of the world's most (more)

CAIRO — Indonesia's influential Muslim scholars have joined the government-led drive to promote family planning among the people of the world's most populous Muslim nation, The Jakarta Post reported on Tuesday, July 3. "We have involved Ulama in the hope they can address the importance of reproductive health, which includes family planning through Islamic teachings and values," said Sugiri Syarief, Chairman of the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN).

"To optimize the revitalization of the program, we will cooperate with Muslim leaders across the country, from the provincial level to the smallest groups in the community, such as mosque-based Ulama."

Scholars will be enrolled in the drive to educate Indonesians about reproductive health and the benefits of planning family structure.

To help them in their mission, BKKBN has drafted a guide to help scholars in promoting the family planning program.

The "Reproductive Health Information, Education and Communication for Ulama" handbook was conducted with the help of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and several Muslim organizations in the country.

"We will distribute the handbook by using the religious ministry's agencies in each province as the first channels," Sugiri said.

There are currently about 60,000 scholars registered with the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry.

He added that the BKKBN plans to take similar steps with the religious and spiritual leaders of non-Muslims.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation with a population of 220 million. It has 32 provinces and 341 cities and regions.

Around 85 percent of the Indonesians follow Islam, but some areas in eastern Indonesia like Poso have roughly equal numbers of Muslim and Christians.

Right Track

UN officials said enlisting Muslim scholars in the family planning drive will be crucial.

"Indonesia has been on the right track in involving religious leaders in the family planning program," Zahidul Huque, UNFPA representative in Indonesia, told The Post.

Huque said scholars can create a conductive environment that helps Indonesians understand the importance of planning their families.

Muslim scholars are considered prominent figures in the Southeast Asian archipelagic nation.

Tarmizi Taher, chairman of the Indonesian Council of Mosques and former religious minister, agreed that scholars will be effective.

He suggested that the handbook should cite relevant verses from the Qur'an and the Hadith.

Islam encourages its followers to marry, procreate and populate the earth. Yet, it allows family planning and the use of contraception as long as the conditions set by Islam in this regard are observed.

Family planning is allowable as long as the method employed is not irreversible as the case in vasectomy for example.

Source : IslamOnline

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Pakistan Open To Multi-lateral, Bilateral Nuke Technology Coop

Pakistan Open To Multi-lateral, Bilateral Nuke Technology Coop

ISLAMABAD, July 3 (Bernama) -- Pakistan says it was open to multi-lateral and bilateral nuclear technology cooperation, Pakistan Press International reported.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam asked Monday at media briefing on prospects of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the sphere of nuclear technology, said: ``If we are offered any cooperation, it would not involve Pakistan's nuclear weapon facilities. It has to be consistent with our sovereignty and security. It has to be non-intrusive. Within these parameters, we are open to multi-lateral as well as bilateral nuclear technology cooperation.''

On recent terror attempts in Glasgow (Scotland) and possible harassment to Pakistan-origin UK citizens, the spokesperson said Pakistan was in touch with its mission to cope with such a situation.

Pakistan had condemned the incident and was not aware of any details about connection of any Pakistani with it.

``We are concerned about security of Pakistanis in UK and hoped that government there would take all measures for their safety in case they received any threats,'' she stated.

On Pakistan's response over Indian intentions to construct more dams on River Chenab, Aslam said India was required to inform Pakistan six months before start of any project under Indus Water Treaty.

``We are aware of some projects being considered by India, but it could not take any steps since it had not been not officially informed so far.''

She said process of shifting four Afghan refugee camps situated near Peshawar and Quetta could not be carried out due to logistical problems. The shifting was meant to control misuse of these camps by Taliban.

Pakistan had not decided yet to seek help from any country for relief work after recent rains and floods in the country, though it was approached by many countries and United Nations.

On meeting of Interior Secretaries of Pakistan and India Tuesday in New Delhi, she said it was part of composite dialogue and both sides would discuss number of issues including counter terrorism, narcotics control, human and drug trafficking, prisoners and fishermen.

She said agenda of UK defence delegation currently visiting Pakistan was to hold review meetings.

About extradition of sons of a former Balochistan Chief Minister allegedly leading banned BLA group, Aslam said Pakistan and UK had already declared BLA as a terrorist organization, adding there were also Interpol red warrants for some of group's members.

-- BERNAMA

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