The caller wanted to find out when it was allowed under Islamic law for a diabetic taking insulin to follow their doctor's advice to fast in the winter, when the days are shorter.
Source/Credit: Nottingham Post
By Jamie Barlow | December 19, 2017
'If it is a non-Muslim doctor who is giving the advice, well their advice carries no weight'
A [Sunni] Muslim radio station has been slammed by regulator Ofcom after an Islamic scholar told a listener to ignore the advice of non-Muslim doctors.
The scholar, described on the phone-in programme as "the Mufti", said it was unacceptable for a diabetic to miss fasting days during Ramadan on the recommendation of a non-Muslim doctor.
Ofcom received a complaint about a show in which listeners were encouraged to seek advice from the scholar on Islam-related issues.
During the show an exchange took place with a listener seeking advice about fasting with diabetes.
The scholar told a caller during a broadcast on the Bobbersmill-based station: “If it is a non-Muslim doctor who is giving the advice, well their advice carries no weight. It has no importance whatsoever.”
The show, which broadcasts in Punjabi, was translated and Ofcom found the issue to be "potentially harmful", "discriminatory and potentially offensive”.
The caller wanted to find out when it was allowed under Islamic law for a diabetic taking insulin to follow their doctor's advice to fast in the winter, when the days are shorter.
Muslims typically fast during Ramadan, which fell in May and June this year, but there are exemptions due to ill health.
The scholar said: "Look, if the doctor is a Muslim and a religious person, then his advice carries weight.
"But if he is not a Muslim... a non-Muslim doctor will tell you to stop fasting even if you have a minor headache.
“What you have to do is check who is giving the advice. A proper Muslim doctor who is religious will not give you wrong advice.”
Ofcom launched an investigation after a listener complained the scholar's advice was dangerous, and concluded the station had breached two rules against the broadcast of harmful and offensive material.
It slammed the Mufti for saying that Muslims with “mild diabetes” were not permitted to give up fasting.
An Ofcom spokesman said: "Our investigation found that encouraging people with diabetes to fast and ignore medical advice was potentially harmful and offensive.
“As a result, we found the programme broke our rules on generally accepted standards.”
Dr Irfan Malik, a doctor in Sherwood and member of Nottingham Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said "medical advice should only be given by a qualified medical practitioner".
He added: "It does not have to be a GP or a practice nurse [but] someone attached to the practice who is qualified to give the advice.
"I do think that, unless the scholar was advised to give that advice, it would otherwise be inappropriate.
"You should not differentiate between Muslim doctors and non-Muslim doctors. You just have to see them as a medical practitioner. Faith should not come into it. Medical advice is medical advice at the end of the day."
Asif Mohammed, 54, secretary of the Fiveways Centre and trustee, said: "I do not listen to the radio [station]. I do not speak Urdu.
"It's very naive to make those comments. It's very clear in the Quaran when you are unwell you are exempt and you can take up the fast when you are better.
"If you have an expert telling you you should not do it, you should not do it."
He added: "My father is unable to fast because he is dependent on insulin. But what he does is he donates a considerable amount of money to charity. He helps those that are poor.
"In a sense that's just as important because there are easier alternatives that you can contribute to.
"You have given money to help those less fortunate to yourself and also make up the fast when your health improves."
The Post attempted to contact Radio Dawn - along with the Karimia Institute, in Berridge Road, West Bobbersmill, where the station is based - for comment.
Read original post here: UK: Radio station slammed by regulator after Sunni Muslim scholar urges listener to ignore advice of non-Muslim doctors
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