MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 11 (PIA) --- The City Health Office (CHO) is eyeing religious leaders as effective partners and advocates of the anti-smoking campaign.
On Sunday, personnel from the CHO headed by Dr. Faisal Idris, in coordination with the Department of Health in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) conducted a forum on tobacco participated by religious leaders or Ulama and representatives from Madaris schools in the city.
Idris said the main objective of the forum was to raise awareness on the harmful effects of cigarette smoking to human health and to seek support from the participants to help discourage smoking.
It was also aimed to gauge and solicit opinion on the Fatwa on Smoking Cigarette issued by the Supreme Council of Darul Ifta of the Philippines last year.
“Fatwa” is an Islamic ruling or a scholarly opinion on a matter of Islamic law issued by a recognized religious authority called "Mufti."
The Fatwa declared tobacco or cigarette smoking "haram" or forbidden. It also prohibited the manufacturing and selling of tobacco or cigarette.
Under the Islamic ruling, smoking cigarette is considered forbidden because of its being filthy, containing harmful chemicals that caused damage to human health. Spending money in buying cigarette is also considered as wasting of wealth which is forbidden too in Islam.
The highlight of the forum was declaration of support and the signing of commitment by the participants pronouncing their vow to promote anti-smoking at their respective homes, schools and community.
In addition, the local government of Marawi also signified commitment to support the anti-smoking program of the DOH.
Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Abdani Alonto, Chairperson of the Committee on Health, said he will endorse before the Council an ordinance to regulate smoking in public places within the city. (Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA-10)
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