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Afghan imam: Islam opposes risks to mothers’ health
by Scott Gilbreath ~ January 20th, 2009
This is welcome news: An imam in central Afghanistan is giving full support to a government initiative to reduce maternal mortality by discouraging constant pregnancies and child marriage.
Mohammad Tawasoli, an imam at a mosque in Wardak Province, central Afghanistan, tells the local community to maintain a two-year gap between pregnancies and avoid child marriage – to help mother and infant remain healthy.
“Islam does not allow the killing of the foetus but it also does not want mothers to face health risks because of… constant pregnancies,” Tawasoli said.
“Islam does not oppose delayed pregnancies if this helps the health and well-being of mothers,” he told IRIN in Kabul, adding that those who think otherwise believe in superstition rather than true Islamic principles.
Better watch your back, imam Tawasoli: The Taliban thinks otherwise, and I doubt they appreciate being accused of believing superstition.
[I]n the volatile southern and eastern provinces, where Taliban insurgents have assassinated dozens of pro-government religious leaders, preaching about family planning seems to be a risky and unattractive job.
The news story quotes another imam with controversial views: Abdul Karim of Kabul says child marriage and forced marriage are contrary to Islam.
More power to imams Karim and Tawasoli.
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January 23rd, 2009 at 06:42 AM
[...] OUTBREAK OF COMMON SENSE– Afghan imam: Islam opposes risks to mothers’ health; not so much — Early marriage: [...]