Cairo, 6–7 March 2013 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is hosting a high-level consultation of Islamic scholars, from 6 to 7 March 2013, in the WHO Regional Office in Cairo. The objective of the consultation is to identify the best strategies for demonstrating solidarity among Islamic scholars and leadership to: counter false propaganda about the polio vaccine, promote its use to protect children of the Muslim ummah against polio and ensure eradication of this paralyzing disease.
It is expected that Islamic scholars from Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will participate in the consultation, in addition, scholars of Mashyakhet Al Azhar, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA), International Islamic Fiqh Academy are also expected to participate.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, launched by the health ministers of the Member States of the World Health Organization in 1988, including the health ministers from all 57 member states of OIC, has been successful in stopping the transmission of this crippling disease in all but three countries of the world: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Related links
Report of the consultation with Islamic scholars on polio eradication [132.95kb]
Guidelines for preparedness for wild poliovirus importation 
Dr Bruce Aylward’s speech during Rotary International Convention 2012
Video showing religious leaders' help in changing misconceptions about polio vaccine in Pakistan
