PSI Teams up with Muslim Leaders to Fight AIDS

NIORO DU SAHEL, Mali, June 7, 2002 – PSI/Mali has joined forces with the religious leaders of Mali in the fight against HIV/AIDS in a summit meeting at this remote outpost of the Sahel near the border with Mauritania, chosen because it is home to all three main sects of Islam in Mali.

PSI/Mali gathered more than 70 religious leaders from all over Mali for this seminar on the involvement of the religious community in HIV/AIDS prevention. Approximately 95% of Mali's 10 million citizens are Muslim. Thus, the active support of these religious leaders for HIV/AIDS prevention programs is critical in reaching Mali's population.

Participants included religious leaders from each of Mali's eight regions (Kayes, Koulikouro, Sikasso, Segou, Mopti, Tombouctou,Gao and Nioro du Sahel), representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Ministry of Health, PSI/Mali and journalists.

On the first day of the workshop, it became obvious that the participants came to Nioro with the idea that AIDS is a malediction. For the next three days, participants learned about transmission and prevention modes, the stigma suffered by HIV positive people and the existence of HIV in Mali. They watched videos, listened to testimony, and debated the Koran. On the second day, the religious leaders themselves brought up the issue of condom use.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the religious leaders acknowledged that AIDS:

• Is a transmissible and deadly disease;
• Exists in Mali and has already claimed a number of victims, with enormous socio-economic consequences;
• Concerns all people; and
• Has neither a cure nor a vaccine. Therefore, prevention is the only solution.

The participants also made a number of recommendations, including:

1. The training of preachers and religious leaders to increase sensitization at the community level;
2. The re-installment of an ethical committee for television and radio messages;
3. The need to encourage pre-nuptial HIV testing;
4. Consistent condom use by couples if one partner is HIV+; and
5. More solidarity and support for HIV positive people and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The participants will be submitting an action plan to PSI/Mali as the next step in this initiative.

Diallo Thierno Oumar of PSI/Guinea, who has done this kind of work with Muslim leaders throughout West Africa, provided technical assistance and facilitated this seminar. Part of the "Corridors of Change" project, this workshop was sponsored by the three main religious leaders from Nioro du Sahel and funded by USAID.

—Rodio Diallo, Country Representative, PSI/Mali

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This workshop of Muslim leaders in Nioro du Sahel, Mali is one example of how PSI is working increasingly with religious leaders to strengthen its HIV/AIDS prevention programs. PSI works with Muslim leaders in several West African countries.