Bangladesh, the islamic radicals and block the milk bank, at least 30 children out of 1,000 die after childbirth: food

the DHAKA (AsiaNews) – it Had to be the first “milk bank” of Bangladesh, and, instead, will not function because of protests by islamic radicals. The dietary program - you learn from Asianews - he could counteract the widespread child malnutrition that the Country is at the top of the world ranking, according to the United Nations agency dealing with food programmes and agriculture. However, according to the imam a radical, the scheme “would violate the islamic laws”, then it should be abolished.

The role of the private donors. The “milk bank” was supposed to open at the Institute of Child and Mother Health, a private hospital located in Mutuail, in the division of the capital Dhaka. The goal was to feed at least 500 orphans and children of working mothers. The beginning of the distribution of the precious food, which is decisive for the growth of the babies, was planned for the first of December, but has been postponed to “a date to be determined”. Dr. Mojibur Rahman is the coordinator and the “mind” of the project. The doctor has raised funds from private donors and has led the hospital material necessary to the functioning from Spain. “I've visited – tells – Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, to see how it works from their milk bank. I have learned the laws and I spoke with the imam. We were ready to begin our service, instead we had to pause the project because of the opposition of the radicals”.

About 176 women every 100 thousand die in childbirth. The doctor claims to have submitted the initiative of the experts of the Islamic Foundation. By muslim, I don't think I break any islamic law. I hope that the population wants to support us in our fight to improve [conditions] of the malnourished children and orphans”. Worried, points out that in Bangladesh, “there are very high levels of malnutrition and stagnant growth. Out of 1,000 children born, die at least 30. Approximately 176 mothers each 100 thousand die while giving birth to their own son”. The islamic organization National Tafshir Parishad has sent a letter of complaint to the hospital authorities, leading to the closure of the programme. According to Ataur Rahman, spokesman of the association, “the sharia [islamic law, ndr] does not allow the milk banks. It is against islam. They represent a risk for the marriage between persons who have drunk of the milk of the same woman.”

But there are muslims favourable. on The contrary, some of the experts of muslims support the project. Among these, the Maulana Fariduddin Masud, chairman of the Islahul Muslimin Council and Khatib (guardian) of the Eidgah of Sholakia, in the district of Kishoreganj. For him, “if other muslim Countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Malaysia have created the milk banks, you can also do it in Bangladesh. I think that many children would benefit. We need to work together to find the way to resolve the issue”. Edward Pallab Rozario, catholic doctor, adds: “The banks of the milk are necessary for orphans and sick children. It might save the lives of children who are in intensive care units and those who do not have a mother. Bangladesh should open them”.

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