Background
From 26 to 30 November, over 200 people from more than 50 countries participated
in five days of Consultations on Islam and HIV&AIDS. Almost all participants were either people living with HIV, Islamic
scholars and academics from a variety of countries and backgrounds,
practitioners fighting the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS, medical doctors or
representatives from donor agencies.
Over the course of the five days participants discussed, in small groups, a wide range of issues related to HIV and AIDS. The discussions were based on Case Studies that tackled a variety of issues from mandatory testing to overcoming stigma and discrimination. The purpose of these discussions was to develop religiously acceptable approaches to the HIV pandemic that would help governments and organisations to effectively:
- Increase awareness of HIV and AIDS amongst individuals and communities.
- Halt the spread of HIV.
- Care for individuals who are affected or infected by HIV and AIDS.
- Support communities that are crippled by HIV and AIDS.
Discussions
Over the course of the five days all participants, regardless of their gender, age, where they were from or whether they were a person living with HIV or a scholar, discussed issues related to HIV in a free and open manner. The discussions were of unusual depth and reflected the unusually wide range of backgrounds, fields of experience and expertise of the participants.
The discussions covered six broad themes:
- Stigma and discrimination
- Rights and obligations
- Gender dimensions
- Awareness and prevention
- Protection, treatment, care and support
- Particularly vulnerable groups
Outcomes
The results of these discussions will be used to produce specialised manuals and training materials, and will help the participants to formulate recommendations to Muslim governments.
"One of the Saudi sheikhs from my working group spoke at the Friday mosque services that my colleagues regularly attend. My colleagues said it was the first time that HIV was discussed at their mosque and that the Saudi colleague was preaching a message of tolerance and compassion." Quote from participant at the International Consultations on Islam and HIV/AIDS.
In the past, previous declarations have been produced after other Consultations. Instead of producing a general statement, the International Consultations on Islam and HIV/AIDS will build upon these previous declarations. As the Consultations mark one step in a long process, it is hoped that many more declarations and decisions will be made in the future.
Follow up action
Following the Consultations we contacted all participants to find out their views and opinions on how work should progress in the future. The findings were used to develop a comprehensive work plan which sets out five core aims:
- HIV fund: supported solely by Muslim donor agencies, this fund will help to increase the number of HIV-related projects implemented by Muslim and non-Muslim orgnaisations in Muslim communities. This fund also signals for the first time, concrete commitment by Muslim organisations to fighting HIV.
- Network of HIV-positive Muslims: The HIV-positive Muslims at the Consultations added a unique dimension to the discussions and their stories and experiences helped to challenge the negative stereotypes and attitudes many others had previously held. At the initiation of one of the participants, it was decided that a global network of HIV-positive Muslims will be established. This network could be influential in conveying important messages to other key stake holders.
- Lobbying, advocacy work and training, in order to push HIV and AIDS higher up the agenda of Muslim governments and communities.
- Inspiring and enabling Muslim organisations to work more closely with marginalized groups. Manuals and training programmes are being developed which will provide Muslim organisations with support in order to implement successful HIV-related programmes. We will also support implementing agencies to forge links with donor agencies and will provide them with technical assistance in order to write successful proposals.
- Additional materials: intended to sensitise imams and other key stakeholders by building on the great work that has already been done.
