First breast milk bank closed after Dar-ul-Uloom fatwa

Pakistan’s pioneering breast milk bank, set up at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), has been closed following a new fatwa from Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi.

The suspension came after the institute asked the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for further advice on the project.

The milk bank, launched with an initial fatwa by Darul Uloom Karachi, was intended to provide breast milk to premature babies who were not receiving adequate nutrition from their mothers. However, a revised fatwa on June 16, 2024, led to the suspension of the initiative.

In a statement, SICHN cited recent religious decrees of prominent scholars and madaris as the reason for the suspension and reiterated its commitment to respect religious and cultural sensitivities.

Dr. Jamal Raza, Director of SICHN, stressed the urgent need for the milk bank, saying that breastfeeding is vital for premature babies as they are often weak and do not have enough breast milk. He explained that the aim is to save the lives of these vulnerable children.

The project, inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho along with representatives from UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), was Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant facility of its kind.

Following objections from other scholars and religious groups, Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi issued a new fatwa leading to the closure of the milk bank. SICHN has now referred the matter to the Council of Islamic Ideology for further advice on how to navigate the complex interface between healthcare and religious doctrine.