The conference brings together Islamic scholars,
AIDS practitioners and people living with HIV to
help generate and develop practical responses to
AIDS by the Islamic community.
Photo credit: Islamic Relief

“UNAIDS welcomes the involvement of Islamic religious leaders and scholars in the response to AIDS,” said UNAIDS Director of Partnerships and External Relations Elhadj As Sy during the plenary address of the ‘Islam and AIDS’ conference taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 26 – 30 November. “The key messages of this conference are to halt the spread of HIV, care for the sick and eliminate stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV,” he added.

Hosted by Islamic Relief Worldwide, the conference brings together Islamic scholars from a diverse range of Islamic traditions, AIDS practitioners and people living with HIV to help generate and develop practical responses to AIDS by the Islamic community. “The conference aims to develop and subsequently apply approaches to AIDS which are both effective and Islamically sound. These approaches will be jointly developed and will be based on Islamic teachings of trust, respect and other examples of good practice. They will also build upon existing Muslim and interfaith declarations related to AIDS,” said the organizers.

Declarations of intent will be issued by each of the conference participants, stipulating what participants will do to contribute to addressing AIDS and to dealing with its consequences for individuals and communities.