There are no clear statistics on the prevalence
rate of HIV/AIDS among Muslims in Malawi, but the prevalence of the
pandemic is pegged at about 15% of the 12 million people.
However, there is overwhelming evidence that
Muslims are also succumbing to the scourge.
Enock Tebulo, an HIV-positive Muslim and widower
from the predominantly Muslim district of Mangochi said Muslims were
equally at risk, but preferred to remain silent because the disease is
associated with prohibited acts, which are vehemently condemned by
Islam.
"The disease spreads through some immoral
behaviors such as indulging in immoral sexual activities, drug use and
intoxicants consumption which are all regarded haram," Tebulo
told IOL.
"This has made most people keep a tight lip,
but this won’t help put the matter to rest."
He said Muslims should come to terms with the harsh
reality of HIV/AIDS and inform the world about the Islamic teachings
as a response to the disease.
Tebulo believes the much-lauded HIV/AIDS campaign
by Muslims in Uganda, championing abstinence as the only preventative
measure, should be emulated in the country.
"Since I came out in the open to talk about my
predicament, I no longer harbor regrets because I now understand that
my condition is based on Allah's will," he said.
"This has also helped fellow Muslims to
realize that the HIV/AIDS problem is real, and that there are people
who require their assistance. I just feel having that inner peace that
most Muslims have in this fasting month of Ramadan."
Tebulo commended Muslims who are taking the
initiative to provide food-stuffs to the fasting HIV/AIDS patients
during this fasting month.
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WAFA is donating assorted food-stuffs to help provide iftar to HIV/AIDS patients, widows and orphans of AIDS-related deaths.
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Some Muslims fear that the lack of evenly
distributed strategic centers could see the Muslim community losing
out some faithful to non-Muslim centers.
"We're worried, as HIV-positive people, that
our children may not maintain their Islamic identity after our deaths
as they may be exposed to un-Islamic care centers that are doing
everything possible to win their attention through feeding
schemes," said Tebulo.
"It's our appeal to the Muslim organizations
that are assisting us with food to also consider establishing care
centers for our children to learn Islam whilst being taken care
of."
There has been a rapid growth of care centers by
Christians, Buddhists and, of late, the Kaballah faith being headed by
musician-cum-actress Madonna.
The pop diva was in Malawi with her film-maker
husband Guy Ritchie to establish an orphanage and to adopt an orphan,
David, whose mother died of HIV/AIDS-related illness.
The child's father said on Sunday, October 15, he
had not originally planned to give up his son for good when he handed
him to an orphanage after the death of his wife last year.
"I suppose deep in my heart I always imagined
that when he was better, or I had got another wife, I would go and
take him back," Yohane Banda told the Mail on Sunday.
"I hate to see him leave Malawi but I have
come to accept the loss.
"The government people told me it would be a
good thing for the country. He will come back educated and able to
help us."
Until recently, Banda said he had no idea the woman
seeking to adopt his one-year-old son was a world-famous celebrity.
He said all he knew was that she was a "nice
Christian lady."
Malawian law prohibits adoptions by non-residents,
but officials granted an exemption or waiver to Madonna.
There are about 70,000 children under the age of 15
with HIV/AIDS in Malawi.
It is estimated that every year, as many as 80,000
people die from AIDS and another 110,000 new infections occur, many of
these young people.
AIDS Jihad
Sheikh Muhammad Uthman, Publicity Secretary of the
Majlis Ulama (Council of Muslim Scholars) said they have mounted a
campaign aimed at sensitizing the general public on the dangers of
discriminating against the infected and affected persons and the need
to feed them.
"Any negative attitude towards the HIV-
positive is discouraged by Islam," Sheikh Uthman told IOL.
"These people need to be helped so that they
come to terms with the reality of HIV/AIDS, while at the same time
being encouraged to seek Allah's mercy and forgiveness," he said.
"Allah always leaves the way open for
repentance. We should help to add value to their lives by encouraging
them to engage in acts of worship in this month of Ramadan by sharing
the little we have."
Sheikh Uthman said Malawian scholars were making an
effort to incorporate HIV/AIDS messages in sermons and lectures on the
dangers of the pandemic to raise awareness.
Considering the grave consequences that may result
due to laxity by the Muslim community in taking action against the
pandemic, most organizations declared jihad against the pandemic.
Several Muslim organizations have initiated family
HIV/AIDS education through local imams and Madrassah (religious
schools) teachers in both the rural and urban areas.
Muslim institutions such as the Bilal Trust's
Madina Social Services in southern Malawi and Social Islamic
Development in central and northern Malawi have established clinics
and mobile clinics to help people, including the HIV-positive, access
medicine free of charge.
Plans are in the pipeline for these health
facilities to start distributing the much-needed Anti-retroviral
Therapy (ART) in their respective catchment areas.
The Muslim umbrella body, Muslim Association of
Malawi, has also been obtaining grants from the government through the
National AIDS Commission (NAC) to facilitate outreach awareness
programs among Muslims across the country.
