SOUTH AFRICA: South African Muslims Urged to Fight AIDS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

SOUTH AFRICA: South African Muslims Urged to Fight AIDS

IslamOnline.net (10.23.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hassan Isilow

The director of Positive Muslims, an organization that aims to support those living with HIV, is calling on South African Muslims to break the silence that often surrounds AIDS.

"For a long time, our Muslim community has preferred to ignore the problem of HIV/AIDS," said Raoul Ridwaan Swart. "Others think HIV/AIDS does not exist among them."

Swart said he was "extremely shocked" by the results of a survey, conducted by Positive Muslims, which indicated that 2.56 percent of residents in three predominantly Islamic Cape Town suburbs were HIV-positive.

"I respect the teachings of Islam about no premarital sex, but this [does] not mean that all Muslims have stuck by this rule," Swart said. "Some of our youth engage in sex before marriage, while some married couples engage in extramarital affairs. This is risky behavior and as a community we need to stop the silence and speak about it, so that we eliminate the risk of HIV/AIDS before it penetrates deeper in our community."

Among the survey's other findings:

*33.4 percent of respondents said they view condoms as unnatural.

*44.2 percent said married couples should not use condoms.

*10.4 percent said condoms imported from overseas are actually contaminated with HIV.

"Let me not be mistaken for promoting promiscuous behavior," Swart said. "What I'm saying here is condoms can be used by married couples who are HIV-positive so as to avoid re- infection, or if they are not sure of their statuses. While on the other hand, unmarried people who are sexually active, especially the youth, we advise you to abstain."
091027
AD091843

Copyright © 2009 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2009. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2009. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.