Moslem leaders against condoms in AIDS campaign<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leaders remain steadfast in their
\nrejection of the promotion of condoms in the anti-AIDS campaign
\nbecause endorsing the latex would amount to condoning
\npromiscuity.<\/p>\n
They said on Saturday that they would endorse the use of
\ncondoms only as a contraceptive to be used by husbands and wives.<\/p>\n
The latest attempt to ensure the support of Moslem religious
\nleaders for the condom campaign to help prevent the Acquired
\nImmune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was made during a one-day
\ndiscussion organized by the Pelita Ilmu Foundation, a non-
\ngovernmental organization.<\/p>\n
Samsuridjal Djauzi, the foundation's medical adviser, said
\nthat the seminar held on Saturday aimed at providing basic
\ninformation on AIDS and its prevention with the hope that the
\nreligious leaders could share it with their followers.<\/p>\n
\"They agreed that married couples should use condoms if one
\nspouse has contracted the HIV, but they are still against the use
\nof condoms by unmarried couples,\" Samsuridjal told The Jakarta
\nPost after the discussion.<\/p>\n
The religious figures fear that advocating the use of condoms
\nto prevent the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),
\nwhich causes AIDS, will promote adultery and prostitution, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"We realize that it is not possible to change their perception
\nin one meeting, but I believe the seminar is one step toward a
\nbetter understanding,\" Samsuridjal said.<\/p>\n
Some of the religious leaders requested another discussion and
\nhave expressed willingness to participate in some of the
\nfoundation's activities, he said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the religious figures are also keen to follow
\nevery development in the efforts to combat AIDS.<\/p>\n
\"They promised to share information on HIV and to tell the
\npeople how it is transmitted to others,\" Samsuridjal said.<\/p>\n
The government has ruled out promoting the use of condoms in
\nits anti-AIDS campaign, despite strong evidence that condoms are
\neffective in preventing the spread of the virus which causes the
\nsyndrome. This stance is chiefly caused by the strong objections
\nfrom Moslem leaders who fear the condom campaign will promote
\nsexual permissiveness.<\/p>\n
In July, the Ministry of Health reported that 420 people
\nacross the country had tested HIV positive. Some of them have
\nfull-blown AIDS.<\/p>\n
Present at the meeting organized by the foundation with the
\nsupport of the Ford Foundation were 30 religious figures from
\nvarious Moslem organizations, mosques and Islamic boarding
\nschools.<\/p>\n
Addressing of the meeting were Toha Muhaimin, a lecturer at
\nthe University of Indonesia School of Community Health, and
\nNoorwati of the Pelita Ilmu Foundation.<\/p>\n
Samsuridjal said the religious leaders were chosen as a target
\nof the foundation's anti-AIDS campaign because they are
\ninfluential figures in this predominantly Moslem country.<\/p>\n
He expressed concern at certain attitudes prevalent in some
\nMoslem circles. \"Some of the religious leaders said that people
\nwith HIV do not deserve protection because the disease is a
\ndivine punishment,\" Samsuridjal said.<\/p>\n
During the discussion which he led, Samsuridjal explained that
\nit is not only homosexuals or sex workers who contract the virus,
\nbut also innocent babies or wives, who get the virus from their
\nfathers or husbands. \"I know 14 married couples with HIV,\"
\nSamsuridjal said.<\/p>\n
\"It's not fair to say that all people with HIV are those with
\nlow moral values,\" Samsuridjal said. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-leaders-against-condoms-in-aids-campaign-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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