Know your HIV status,muslim youths advised

November 14, 2006 :: Sheriff Balogun ThisDay,Lagos

President, Islamic Network for Development (IND), Alhaja Oshodi, has advised Muslim youths to find out their HIV status, as they prepare for marital life.

Oshodi gave the advise in Lagos, while addressing Islamic youths during a sensitisation workshop on HIV/AIDS for youths, adding that ignorance is forbidden in Islam.

She said youths should know their HIV status and that of their spouse ahead of marriage.

She said the fact that consequences of the ailments are fatal and that no known cure has been found are major drawbacks, adding that the devastation, human and economic costs has became unbearable by early 1990s, and by the dawn of the 21st century, these has reached a catastrophic proportion.

Oshodi said though the stigma was heavy and the cure is expensive for the poor in developing countries that are mostly affected, yet, all that is required to stop the spread was mere behavioural change, compassion for the infected and sexual restraint.

She said being silent or indifferent does not make the disease disappear, adding that the workshop was to sensitise everyone to issues that are connected with HIV/AIDS, particularly on the role of the Islamic religion, its spiritual and political leaders in combating the pandemic consequences.

According to her, as a religious group, we have displayed too much indifference and silence. Our overt attitude cannot be justified by the rich resources and information that Islamic has on reproductive health issues."

However, its Project Coordinator, Prof. 'Lai Olurode noted that the group is hopeful, that more Muslim youths and adults alike would become better enlightened, sensitized and educated on the issues through publications as time goes on.