DEVELOP HALAL MEDICINES SERIOUSLY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Perak state mufti Harussani Zakaria has
urged all quarters to work hard to develop halal medicines for Muslims.

He said non-halal (not permissible in Islam) medicines were allowed in Islam
under unforeseen circumstances and 'istihalah' (material transformed into other
substances that are different from its origin either in nature, substance or
name), but Muslims must strive to seek alternatives to replace them.

"If we continue to use non-halal medicines on these two grounds, we will not
change. We can achieve it if we continue to strive for it.

"Otherwise, are we going to claim unforeseen circumstances for 500 years?"
he asked during the Halal Medicines: Issues and Challenges Roundtable at the
Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia here Tuesday.

Harussani said halal medical issues needed to be studied thoroughly and
fully implemented in accordance with the Islamic law.