Abortion Due To Zika Only Personal Opinions - Malaysian Minister

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The views of several mufti that pregnant women infected by the zika virus can go for abortion if the fetus is below 120 days old is personal in nature. Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister's Department Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (pix) said the matter must be discussed at the state fatwa committee level and the Muzakarah (Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs in Malaysia to come up with a ruling. "Views have been expressed, and so long as they are not edicts, we need to wait until the muzakarah discusses the matter," he told reporters here, Friday. Prior to this, Federal Territories Mufti Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri was reported to have said that an abortion should be done if the fetus could bring difficulty, sadness and suffering to the family. The view was also concurred by Negeri Sembilan Mufti Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad who said an abortion was a must if the risks were confirmed by medical experts, with the agreements of the father and mother. Mufti is a Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters. In a follow up, Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam urged the National Fatwa Council to discuss the views of the mufti to arrive at a consensus on abortion for women infected by the Zika virus. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA