We breathe the same air; we have the same blood because we are all human beings. We suffer from different diseases including HIV/AIDS so as Christians and Judas.
It is long time people have been discussing the issue of HIV/AIDS in Malawian Muslim Community and a tribute should be paid to the group which has just been formed, Muslim Sisters Aids Network (Musanet). This group has done a commendable job in Malawi and praises are still coming from abroad.
Their objective is quite short which says “breaking the silence among Muslim women on HIV/AIDS.” That’s all no any additional sentence. It has moved Malawian women from ignorance to intelligence and from misunderstanding to understanding.
They have done a lot of programs in Malawi but the interest of many Muslims is on the recent program about Condoms.
These women last week had their workshop in Blantyre, which was funded by UNFPA and facilitated by Sandra Mapempa, Condom programming coordinator including Blantyre District AIDS Coordinator Mr. Lothiar Ngulube.
The event was aimed at encouraging Muslim couples to use Condoms, family planning and marternal health issues. According to the local newspaper, The Daily Times. The paper also quoted the grouping’s chairlady, sister Jamila Lire who said they approached UNFPA when they saw that ‘there was need to do so’ because Muslims were quite on HIV/AIDS issue.
However, many people including Muslim scholars have had different views on the condom issue, with some saying it is not permissible while others say it is acceptable but on condition that it should not have effect on health and if there is really need to do so. That is to say for prevention of HIV/AIDS and other Sexual Transmitted Diseases.
Below are views of some Muslims on what they think about condoms.
“I will never sell condoms in my shop; it is like promoting adultery and operating a brothel,” Sharrif Mohamed, who owns a shop in Isiolo, Eastern Province, Kenya told IRIN/PlusNews.
Zamzam, a single mother of three in Garissa, a town North Eastern Province, dismissed condoms as “a thing for the prostitutes”, saying, “I use my brain and intelligence when I want to sleep with a man, and can tell who is sick [with HIV/AIDS]; I am not a prostitute to use it.”
“The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a curse and punishment because people have engaged in immoral acts and offended Allah [God],” Maalim Hussein Mohamud, a teacher at a ‘madrassa’, or Islamic school, in Mandera, near the Somali border, told IRIN/PlusNews. “They have to repent, observe religious teaching and not use condoms.”
Mohamud said the only way to prevent the viral infection was to observe religious teachings, abstain from ‘illegal’ sexual acts and avoid the use of condoms.
“Our position is very clear: we shall never support the use of condoms; Muslims must shun acts that will endanger their lives. To be safe [from HIV], youths must pray five times daily, fast, and refrain from looking at women; extramarital affairs must be avoided and women must dress decently,” he insisted.
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It is true that Islamic teachings have tought us to refrain and abstain from Illigal sexual acts, but we can all admit that there are many muslims in this Country who lost their lives through contracting HIV,and there are many more who are living postively with the desease.If we still keep quite more and more muslim are going to contract HIV. Thats why MUSANET women have blown the trumpet.
But why are dying? Our religion gave us guidance of avoiding temptations by guiding the women how to dress,and the men how to conduct themselves?
There is no HIV in Soudi Arabia and other Islamic Countries. What is the problem with moslems in Africa why are they found with the desease? could it be poverty? which makes the women to engage themselves with illegal sexual acts or could it be our tradition which make the men have illegal sexual acts?or could it be other reasons other than the ones i have mentioned, can someone help me with answers.
All i can say is that we have no choice but to use the recommended methods to avoid contracting the desease where it is necessary to do so if you dont want to use Condoms then make sure you both get tested and are both negative and you both abstain if no please lets not take a risk it is the duty of all of us to save the future generation.
My respected Sister in Islaam. Aids and Hiv is there in Saudi Arabia. I have been there for 10 long years.
The reason why we Muslims are affected by this DISEASE is that our IIMAAN is very LOW and we are not doing much to STRENGTHEN IT.
The principle of islam is that of abstainance until we get married.The use of condom has been primarily for the purpose of preventing unprepared pregnancies if an existing child is not 2 years yet. This application is the same as that commonly known as "njiulila" or onanism.However, we need to be very careful if our application of condom use poits towards the prevention of HIV virus.Adultery has been on the increase and muslims are not exception.I we insist not to apply condom use would mean risking muslim ummah.Therefore lets take a condom as a second measure but bear in mind still that sex intercourse outside marriege is prohibited.May Allah reward those who are taking part in the fight against the disease.
If we muslims do not help our brothers and sisters who are infected with this deadly disease, then I think it will be sentencing them to death.what we nee is to do this in a careful manner and in line with Islamic teaching.I do'nt think it will be a bad idea for the married couples to use condoms if one of them is positive. and let us not continue with this silence please. we need to sensitise the muslim ummah on the dangers of indulging in extra marital sex and for those who are not yet married, let them stay away. let our immams speak out on this issue.
Casual approach to Islamic principles is what is causing Muslims to suffer diseases they should have not contracted at all. Those that are serious in the observance of Islamic principles are spared from diseases such as HIV and AIDS, sextually transmitted infections, etc. Whoever chooses to live in this world as paradise is prone to such calamity. If we had abided by the Almighty admonishment that "You shall not go near adultery" (La taqrab zina) Muslims would not have been facing these pandemics. The pandemic is the price for ignoring the limits set by Almighty Allah. Let us blame ourselves for deviating from the right path. Imagine, even sheikhs who could have been setting good examples are dying too of HIV and AIDS. We have forsaken the right path and Allah will not suffer even an inch but ourselcves. Those that are suffering this disease in SAUDI could be because of their recklessness, but as the country follows the strict Islamic rules numbers of PLWHA there are very very small. Let us all abide by the Islamic rules though they may appear difficult. PHUKUSI LA MOYO SAKUSUNGIRA MNZAKO!
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