HIV is rising in the Muslim community

Britain it seems is wrestling with a serious and rapid rise in the number of Muslims contracting HIV, the virus continuous to daily claim 6000 lives world wide. Although incurable, enormous strides have been made in its treatment. Early detection and intervention have proved successful and vital in managing the virus’ disastrous effects and delaying the onset of full blown AIDS in many infected patients. Except the success of these measures relies heavily on educating and informing the public about the risks involved in unprotected sexual activities, and the importance of early testing for those who are at risk or exposed to the disease.

Islam is naturally a very conservative and traditional religion, for that reason some topics and issues are not freely or openly aired and discussed in many Muslim households. Sex and sexual matters are just that kind of issue. Add to that, many Muslim families treat these topics as taboo. And since premarital sex and homosexuality are forbidden by Islam, traditional and practicing communities have a tendency to not discuss these topics and matters openly. For that reason many people shun medical testing, it also makes sexual education and awareness very difficult to conduct and carry out by outsiders, leaving room and a fertile ground for a lot of myth and misconceptions about the disease and its causes. Additionally, catching the disease carries with it the stigma of promiscuity, prostitution and homosexuality. Whenever someone is infected people are quick to jump to the conclusion that they did ‘something wrong’.

According to medical experts the stigma of having the virus is causing needless deaths among the Muslim community in the UK. It is also causing a lot of mental and psychological anguish among those who are infected with the virus. Furthermore, there is a large proportion who thinks that HIV does not present with their lives, as a result these groups rarely get treatment early and when they do it is usually at the very late stages of the disease.

Therefore, it is the duty and the responsibility of the younger and educated Muslims in the community to break though the myth and the stigma, and school those less educated. That is why simple measures like learning English and properly assimilating into the British way of life are vital for communication. It will allow for greater freedom and development, plus it is the natural process of diversification and integration, it is also cheaper and less intrusive in the long run.

Growing up I learned a great deal from my parents and family elders via simple basic everyday communication and story telling. I was fortunate because they were able to understand what was communicated via the media. Many issues were openly and appropriately discussed, it is the same basic method I later employed with my family. Being able to communicate freely is empowering and liberating; it is a simple and basic right that every human being should posses, plus its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages.