THE spread of the swine flu virus has prompted some Egyptian religious scholars and medical doctors to advice women to postpone pregnancy until March, the end of the winter season. However, controversial Sheikh Youssef el-Badri rejects this advice, arguing that it is against the Sharia (Islamic Law) and the Will of God. Based on the findings of a recent American study, Dr Galal el-Batouti, a well-known, Cairo-based gynaecologist and obstetrician, says that 14 per cent of Egyptian women who have died after contracting the A/H1N1 virus were pregnant. "These women had no history of underlying health conditions. But, when they became infected with the lethal virus and given the anti-viral medication, they died. “Therefore, it is advisable for women to postpone pregnancy until the end of the winter season for their own safety," Dr e -Batouti says. He has also warned pregnant women against taking the anti-swine flu vaccine, whose side-effects are still being assessed and studied. Dr el-Batouti's advice contradicts that of Ministry of Health officials, who have decided to include pregnant women in its group of most vulnerable citizens, in its national swine flu vaccination campaign. The officials said yesterday that four persons died from swine flu, taking to 228 the fatalities recorded in Egypt until now. Dr el-Saeed Ali, another Cairo obstetrician, agrees with Dr el-Batouti, urging women to put off pregnancy plans for two more months. "Pregnant women have a weaker immune system due to the extra weight they are carrying. That leaves them more susceptible to the swine flu. Therefore, I advise women to postpone pregnancy until the winter is over," Dr Ali adds. Some Muslim scholars have listened to the two doctors' advice and are advising women to postpone pregnancy during the pandemic on religious grounds. Sheikh Mahmoud Ashour, a former under-secretary at Al-Azhar (Islam's highest seat of Sunni learning), says that Islam strongly recommends that both men and women should not take any unnecessary risk that might endanger their lives. "Many knowledgeable Muslim physicians confirm that swine flu is a killer disease; I respect their professional medical opinion and urge women to postpone pregnancy until the spring," Ashour stresses. Sheikh Ali Abul Hassan, a former member of Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Committee, agrees entirely. But the two scholars and the two doctors have been attacked by Sheikh el-Badri, known for his strict views, who describes them as 'pessimists'. "No-one can challenge the will of God. Pregnancy and conceiving are part of His will. People should fully trust God's wisdom. A true Muslim has to believe and accept the fact that, if God has created a disease, then He has also created the treatment for it," el-Badri stresses.
