Irish Muslims are expected to vote Yes in Wednesday's abortion referendum. Imam Yahya Al-Hussein of the Islamic Centre on Dublin's South Circular Road said yesterday: "We support the introduction of any restrictions that discourage abortion and as such, we support this referendum and should vote Yes."
It was "the duty of the Government and of society to provide the necessary education and the adequate social and financial support to tackle the problems associated with unwanted pregnancy".
Ireland's Chief Rabbi, the Rev Yaakov Pearlman, said the threat of suicide could be recognised in Jewish law as grounds for an abortion and, as such, Jews would favour a No vote in the referendum.
Abortion was forbidden by Jewish law, he said. However, the law was clear that where the woman's life was in danger she must be given precedence over the foetus.
