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International columnist, political analyst and senior journalist Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui’s articles are published across Asia, Africa and Europe. He writes for The Moroccan Times, The Tunis Times, India Tomorrow, Kohram News, The Etemaad Urdu Daily and for news papers published from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. You can follow him on Twitter at: @journopolana[/symple_box]
Muscat, Oman—This week, a court in Scotland kicked up a controversy when it asked one of its female employees, Alien Robertson, 39, ‘’to use a bottle’’ to feed her baby so she could still attend jury duty. Alien received a letter from the court when her son was just a few weeks old. She filled in an exemption form. Now, she has received a letter telling her she is to attend court, according to The Scotsman. This ruling by the court prompted protests from breast feeding mothers and Femen activists. The Scottish court has clearly overstepped its brief by interfering in matters of the Divine Court, which governs all of us. In the process, the baby’s birth right of being breast-fed is denied. The court has come as a barrier to mother-child bonding. It is also seen as promoting formula feed or bottle feed. Breast feeding week is celebrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) from 1 – 7 August every year in 170 countries. The court ruling is a setback to WHO’s efforts in promoting breast feeding.
How many times does the Holy Bible reference breasts in the context of breast feeding? 14. Plus 10 other references to nursing and drinking mother’s milk. Twenty-four times the bible references breast feeding without shame. Without any hesitation. Without hiding it under a blanket or in another room. The court could have provided a rest room with privacy for the nursing mother and a baby care centre in its premises. This can ensure employee welfare and boost employees’ productivity.
“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” (Luke 11:27)
Here a woman called out to Lord Jesus the above blessing. Catholic mothers often look to the Blessed Mother as their role model and follow her example. It is believed that Mother Mary nursed Jesus. This reference in the Scripture referred to the fact that Mary carried Jesus in her womb and nursed him as an infant and probably as a two and three year old. Jesus depended upon Mary for nurturing and care during the early years of his life. What a joy for Mary to nurse the Child Jesus!
Allah Subḥānahu wa Ta’āla said in the Holy Quran, “The mothers should suckle their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling, but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis…” {Surah Al Baqarah: 2: 233}.
The scholars of Islam have mentioned regarding this verse that this is a command to the mothers to breastfeed their children.
At the beginning of breast feeding, there is a yellow substance that is produced known as colostrum, which has many benefits for the child. Breast feeding helps the society to raise balanced and healthy individuals. Mother’s milk contains all the essential nutrients, which are not available in formula milk. It protects the child from many diseases and boosts immunity. A lot of research is being done on the benefits of breast feeding.
Even animals know the value of breast feeding. They even breast feed abandoned new- born of other animals. The animals are bestowed with this remarkable sense of breast feeding and nursing. This shows the wonderful divine programming of the universe by the Lord Almighty.
Human beings, with tall claims of being civilized, need to understand and encourage breast feeding, which is a child’s birth right. Human beings must be more sensitive on this issue. A greater responsibility lies on the legal fraternity and the courts of law.
The learned judge himself must have been breast-fed. If he does not remember the same, he must acknowledge that today he is occupying the high office due to the efforts of his mother in raising him as a healthy and balanced individual. Unfortunately, the media in Scotland has not taken up the issue in support of the baby and the mother. The Scotsman is silent too on the issue in spite of my prodding to safeguard the rights of the baby and the mother.
A sound mind in a sound body goes the adage. All health professionals, religious scholars across the world need to do their bit in protecting the breast feeding right, which is a human right too.
