AEGiS-15IAC: Scaling up the activities of FBOs: A comprehensive paradigm within the Islamic framework.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

DonateNow
Print this article

Scaling up the activities of FBOs: A comprehensive paradigm within the Islamic framework.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10033)

Nabeel MK
Academy of Medical Sciences, Kannur, Kerala, India

ISSUES: As a part of our comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS we had realized the significant role of the various Faith Based Organizations & religious groups. AIDS education through Imams: A spiritually motivated community effort in Uganda (UNAIDS Best Practice Collection) is a model project in this direction & many similar initiatives had been taken up after that. However a problem raised about them is lack of comprehensiveness. While maintaining high degrees of effectiveness in the preventive aspects, not much has been addressed to the burning issues of Care & Support, stigma/Discrimination etc.

DESCRIPTION: This paper narrates examples from the most authentic sources of Islamic Knowledge viz. The Holy Qur'an & the Prophet's Ahadeeth, which clearly inspires for developing a more positive outlook towards such issues. Preliminary discussions were made with an Islamic organization in the South Indian state of Kerala through a Young Doctor who is in the leadership of the organization's you th wing.

LESSONS LEARNED: Contrary to popular belief there are many instances from the Islamic scriptures which are useful in shaping a comprehensive response towards the epidemic by these people. These have to be discussed with the scholarly leadership along with HIV/AIDS related training. They have started showing interest in speaking out the issues in public. However one should be very cautious while interacting with such groups in not hurting their sentiments, which might affect the program adversely.

RECOMMENDATIONS: People working in HIV/AIDS should take a much more proactive & comprehensive role in sensitizing the FBOs & religious groups with constant liaison & positive discussions using the religious scriptures relating them to the problems of the modern world. Like the case of Islam cited here all religious texts would contain such verses & instances, which is waiting our attention to find light.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Organizations, HIV Seropositivity, Islam, Health Education, Research, Uganda, Animal, education

040711
E10033

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.