Muslim doctors warn of
"backdoor euthanasia"
"...bringing about a patient's death is deliberate killing - something which British Muslims will not abide"

Muslim Doctors have taken a lead in the fight against a new government document which, they warn, could introduce euthanasia 'through the backdoor'.

The document, 'Making Decisions', relates to the treatment of patients with mental incapacity and accepts as medical practice the withdrawal of assisted food and fluid leaving patients to die from dehydration and starvation.

In a letter to the Lord Chancellor, Dr Jafer Qureshi, Chairman of the Muslim Doctors & Dentists Association, warns: "...the withdrawal of assisted food and fluid with the aim of bringing about a patient's death is deliberate killing (something which British Muslims will not abide) and it is nonsense to try to camouflage your proposals by a play on words."

Dr Qureshi, a Consultant Psychiatrist from Wolverhampton, has sent copies, with covering letters to all party leaders at Westminster as well as to those in Scotland.

In his letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, he warns that if Government policy should lead to introducing euthanasia 'through the back door' it could result in a serious rift between the Labour party and the Muslim community in Britain.

His letter to Leader of the Opposition William Hague calls on the Conservative Party to take "a strong stand" against the new document.

Dr Qureshi's letter to Lord Irvine, the Lord Chancellor states: "Despite (government) promises not to make advance directives legally binding, 'Making Decisions' side-steps the issue by claiming that according to Common Law living wills are already legally binding."

He criticises the cases which are cited in the document as a basis for such a conclusion.

"We must point out," his letter asserts, "that the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics was fully aware of Common Law - yet in their Report they opposed making living wills (both advance directives and advance refusals) legally binding.

"They stated that patients could be deprived of medical treatment developed after they had made their statements.

"Both the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government persistently claim to be opposed to euthanasia.

"However, the withdrawal of assisted food and fluid with the aim of bringing about a patient's death is deliberate killing (something which British Muslims will not abide) and it is nonsense to try to camouflage your proposals by a play on words.

"We would also bring to your attention the fact that BMA spokespersons have claimed that doctors concerned about the best interests of their patients and not following 'living wills' could find themselves charged with assault. Is this the view of the Government?"

In a final paragraph Dr Qureshi warns: "Muslims have become increasingly concerned by the drift of the BMA towards a policy of euthanasia and ask you to make a note of this.

"Muslim doctors will not be led by the present BMA. We will be doing everything in our power to ensure that the Muslim community in Britain are made fully aware of the situation and of developments in this field."