The Theology and Ethics of Vaccination Receptivity among Dutch Muslims

Muslim tradition has given significant attention to plagues and pandemics based on scriptural texts and theological-ethical norms. Yet, the outbreak of COVID-19 evoked varied reactions among Muslims due to enormous innovations in healthcare and media coverage. COVID-19 vaccination strategies demonstrate how Dutch Muslim attitudes are influenced by factors beyond Islamic theology of pandemics. Other reasons may be behind the unwillingness of some Muslims to vaccinate. These could be traced to certain readings and (mis)interpretations of relevant theological texts, shared cultural schemas among like-minded people, fear of vaccination, lack of clarity, online misinformation, language barriers and political mistrust in local authorities and global health measures. These conclusions are backed up by fieldwork research among Dutch Muslim detainees as an example of what might be called a “local vaccination culture.” It demonstrates that the vaccination decisions are pragmatic and less religiously informed. However, the role imams, religious leaders and representative organs play in this process should not be underestimated. As counter-narratives of anti-vaccinations arguments, theological incentives have a significant impact on Muslim attitudes towards restrictive measures and vaccination policies.