The First Islamic Advisory Group (IAG) meeting and Executive Board meeting was held from 25 to 28 February, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The meeting was attended by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Al-Azhar Al Sharif, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), IAG, WHO, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia.
The main objective of the IAG was to provide high-level global leadership and guidance to build ownership, solidarity and support for polio eradication across the Muslim world.
The IAG:
- expressed the solidarity of Muslim scholars in support of polio eradication and highlighted the urgent need to interrupt transmission of polio;
- assisted in mobilizing communities for immunization activities and reassured the public about the safety of oral polio vaccine (OPV);
- prepared guidelines for use in the field to create awareness about immunization;
- participated in social mobilization and communication activities for immunization; and
- advised regional and country polio eradication programmes to improve immunization.
During the meeting, experts presented a comprehensive analysis of the latest trends of polio and challenges facing polio eradication in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia. At the end of the meeting the Jeddah Declaration was issued reflecting the commitment of all involved to support those remaining countries where polio is yet to be eradicated.
Press releases
Global Islamic Advisory Group (IAG) meeting on polio eradication opens in Jeddah | Arabic
Background information
Islamic Development Bank accelerates polio eradication effort in Pakistan, 14 August 2013
Report of the consultation with Islamic scholars on polio eradication [132.95kb]
Oral polio vaccine and its production
Role of the Islamic scholars in polio eradication