WNAM REPORT: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has said that the Quran and Sunnah clearly instruct mothers to breastfeed their newborns for two years, describing it as both a religious directive and the child’s fundamental right.
He was speaking while presiding over a national consultation arranged jointly by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and UNICEF on promoting and protecting breastfeeding through religious leadership. The minister noted that Islamic teachings emphasize the spiritual and physical significance of breastfeeding, citing various Quranic verses and prophetic traditions that highlight its virtue and reward.
“Breast milk is the child’s first and finest nourishment. It protects newborns from disease and strengthens their early development,” he said, adding that global faith traditions also regard breastfeeding as a natural, sacred and health-giving act. This shared understanding, he noted, strengthens interfaith harmony and reflects universal human wisdom.
The minister expressed concern over the country’s high rates of malnutrition, infant illness and neonatal mortality. He said evidence consistently shows that breastfeeding is the most effective and natural solution to these challenges. However, he warned that misconceptions, social pressures and irresponsible promotion of formula products continue to undermine breastfeeding practices.
“In such circumstances, the role of religious scholars becomes crucial,” he stressed. “A single sermon or guidance from you can influence countless households. Your voice can steer the future of an entire generation.”
He termed the signing of a joint declaration by religious leaders a landmark step, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to fully support and facilitate nationwide awareness efforts. He announced that mosques, madrassas and religious institutions would be engaged to launch a coordinated national campaign to ensure accurate information reaches families across the country.
Earlier, prominent scholars including Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, Allama Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Pir Syed Chiraghuddin Shah, Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Sajad Hussain Naqvi, Pir Mumtaz Zia Nizami, Dr Ali Tariq, Allama Amin Shaheedi, Maulana Haroon ur Rashid, Samiullah Agha and Maulana Tanveer Alvi endorsed the theme from both religious and scientific perspectives.
The session was also attended by Joint Secretary Muhammad Bakhsh Sangi, Director Education Malik Waris Awan, Deputy Director Quran Dr Shahid ur Rehman, along with UNICEF Pakistan representatives including Dr Sharmila Rasool (Deputy Representative), Artina G Minas (Chief Nutrition), Fahmida Khan (Gender Specialist), Elinar (Chief Social Behaviour Change), Dr Saba Shuja (Manager), Salman (Nutrition Officer) and Uzma Batool (Gender Specialist).
Joint Declaration…
Religious scholars affirmed that the Quran and Sunnah declare breast milk a child’s inherent right and promise spiritual reward for mothers. They cited Surah Al Baqarah (233) outlining two years of breastfeeding and Surah Al Ahqaf (15) noting the combined duration of pregnancy and weaning as strong scriptural foundations. They added that Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism also regard breastfeeding as essential for a child’s growth and health.
Based on this shared understanding, the scholars pledged collective support for breastfeeding promotion across Pakistan and agreed to:
* Highlight the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of breastfeeding in sermons and lectures.
* Encourage families to follow the full recommended duration of breastfeeding in light of Quran and Sunnah.
* Help dispel misconceptions, social pressures and barriers that hinder breastfeeding.
* Discourage unnecessary or unethical promotion of formula milk.
* Strengthen cooperation with health experts, institutions and communities.
* Promote a supportive environment that upholds breastfeeding as the child’s natural right.
The declaration concludes with a commitment to sustained religious and social efforts to support, promote and protect breastfeeding in Pakistan so that every child may enjoy better health and a brighter future.
