Azlan Othman
The COVID-19 pandemic is a test and a source of blessing from Allah the Almighty and there is a need to persevere and take initiatives to make use of spiritual and modern medicine.
Ra’es of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar said this during a panel discussion on divine vaccine integration, religious standard operation procedures (SOPs) and vaccine as well as modern medical SOPs in facing COVID-19 during the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022) yesterday.
The ra’es also touched on the actions taken by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to tackle the pandemic, including reciting Zikir and eating healthy food to boost the immune system.
Dr Haji Adanan also urged the public to follow the prophet’s Sunnah.
Consultant of Infectious Diseases at the Ministry of Health Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie binti Haji Momin said the health measures taken such as quarantine and isolation, were used long before the pandemic, adding that such interventions have been proven effective before the SOPs, including wearing masks, practising social distancing, closing schools, limiting mass gathering and closing the borders.
The SOPs are flattening the curve and slowing down the spread of COVID-19, said Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie, adding that cluster identification and the quick development of vaccine help in mitigating the pandemic.
She also noted that the pandemic has forced some to work from home and shown to create social anxiety.
Forum moderator and Dean of Syariah Faculty at KUPU SB Dr Haji Noralizam bin Haji Aliakbar said the pandemic has claimed human lives and slowed the economy but the trust in Allah the Almighty must be maintained.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar was present at the event.
Meanwhile, Assistant Lecturer at KUPU SB Dr Adibah Husna binti Haji Ismail presented a resolution to Chairperson of the Steering Committee of Divine Vaccine Education Seminar and Religious SOP.
