PSI Gets AIDS into Muslim Sermons

BAMAKO, Mali, April 25, 2003 — The struggle against HIV/AIDS has taken a decisive turn in Mali with a PSI/Mali initiative to establish standard sermons (or Khoutouba) about HIV/AIDS.

This PSI/Mali project, in collaboration with the LIMAMA (Malian League of Imams and Scholars for Islamic Solidarity), was launched here at the Mosquée du Vendredi de Korofina-Nord by the Hadj Mohamed Fodé Cissé, the dean and first vice president of LIMAMA, and in the presence of hundreds of Muslims who came for Friday prayers.

In his address Mr. Cissé made clear the gravity of the danger facing humanity's existence. The imam explained that AIDS is a complex illness that has serious consequences on the individual, the family and the community. He stressed the fact that HIV/AIDS can choose anyone and cannot be cured. Hadj Cissé emphasized the different ways of transmission before encouraging everyone to behave in an exemplary fashion so as to not be a potential victim of AIDS. To Muslims he recommended abstinence and fidelity with one single partner. He encourages those who are seropositive to protect others who are not.

The imam did not forget to call on the congregants for more solidarity and compassion for those who are HIV positive and those affected by HIV/AIDS: "People living with HIV/AIDS, no matter how they contracted it, need psychological, moral and above all, spiritual support."

Mr. Cissé called on Muslims to break the chain of stigmatization and discrimination against HIV positive people. He highlighted that a religious leader must show good behavior and serve as an example and model for his community. After the Khoutouba finished, a number of participants congratulated Mr. Cissé on the theme.

In the coming weeks, at the request of LIMAMA, all mosques in the district of Bamako will use the following four themes for the Khoutouba:

• Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Mali;
• High-risk behaviors;
• Reinforcement of positive living for those infected with HIV; and
• The role of the community in the stigmatization of people living with HIV.

The launch of the Khoutouba was held after a workshop organized by PSI/Mali at the request of LIMAMA and a national workshop implicating Muslim leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS held a Nioro du Sahel in April 2002.

— Ishaq Maiga, director of communications, PSI/Mali

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Hadj Mohamed Fodé Cissé, the dean and 1st Vice President of LIMAMA, reads the first Khoutouba.