The Colorado Muslim Society in Aurora hosted on Sunday, March 21, the first COVID vaccination clinic in the city to dismiss fears about the vaccine and assure the community on its importance.
The initiative came amid rising fears in the Muslim community about the vaccine.
“We’ve been witnessing a lot of apprehension around getting the vaccine,” Colorado’s first ever Muslim lawmaker, Rep. Iman Jodeh said, CBC Denver reported.
“Offering it in a place where they felt comfortable with Arabic speakers, with Muslims not only administering, but helping translate was something that could help ease that frustration,” Jodeh said.
📚 Read Also: Is COVID-19 Vaccine Permissible for Muslims to Take?
Hundreds of people, either Muslims or non-Muslims, came to the pop-up clinic to get their shot. Visiting the center, Gov. Jared Polis said outreach clinics like these that come to neighborhoods and faith centers are helping protect Coloradans.
“I think the large focus on equity clinics is really having an impact on Colorado making progress toward achieving our equity goals to end the pandemic and change lives,” he said.
Moreover, both Jodeh and Polis said it was a great opportunity for non-Muslims to get to see a mosque. Also to get to know their Muslim neighbors.
“It’s a great way that the Muslim community, and many of the volunteers here are from the Muslim community, can give back to everybody else,” Polis said.
📚 Read Also: COVID-19: Stories, Spirituality, Tips and Fatwas (In-depth)
Appreciation
A Colorado resident named Charlene, one of those people vaccinated Sunday, thanked the Muslim community for hosting the event.
“The process here has been wonderful,” said Charlene.
“It’s kind of crazy who has ever been so excited to get a vaccine? But I was happy to get it.”
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Muslims to seek medical treatments: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not created a disease without appointing a remedy for it.” (Abu Dawud)
Muslim leaders from across the world have been very vocal about the importance of trusting the vaccination program.
Birmingham’s landmark Green Lane Masjid and Community Center issued a statement last month to clear skepticism surrounding COVID vaccine.
Muslim imams from different Italian cities have also announced their preparation to turn mosque to COVID vaccination centers.