Muslim father faces cruelty charges after banning wife from breastfeeding
A MUSLIM father is facing child cruelty charges after he banned his wife from feeding their newborn baby for a day, claiming it would be a sin.
A man is facing child cruelty charges after he banned his wife from feeding their newborn baby
Astonished hospital staff in Omassery, in southern India, called police after the father told them he was following the teachings of an Islamic holy man.
The father - named only as Aboobackar in local media - said his wife would not be allowed to feed the baby until five calls to prayer had been heard from the local mosque.
A good Muslim is expected to pray five times a day, meaning he was effectively giving her a 24 hour ban on breastfeeding.
Man verbally attacks mum for breastfeeding in public
The man wanted to feed his baby 'honey and water form Mecca'
He denied a baby's right and has put the child's life in danger
Despite warnings from medics that the first 24 hours of breastfeeding is vital for a baby's health, he reportedly refused to back down.
EMS Co-Operative Hospital general manager Rasika Kamar told local media: "He plainly refused to allow his wife to breastfeed the baby.
"This was purely based on some superstitious belief, which he claimed was part of his religion."
His wife, Hafsath, 24, refused to go against her husband, said Kamar, fearing he would divorce her.
A good Muslim is expected to pray five times a day
Instead her husband wanted to feed the infant "honey and some water from Mecca."
Police called in by furious hospital staff warned the father he could be endangering the child.
Hospital manager Kamar said: "He would not change his mind. He denied a baby's right and has put the child's life in danger. We will soon file a complaint with the police."