15th August 2015
FIMA Declaration on Global Efforts to Combat the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
The Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) and its affiliated Islamic Medical Associations (IMA) from various world regions, convened in the city of Makassar,Indonesia, hosted by the Indonesian Islamic Medical Association (IIMA), and held the HIV/AIDS symposium, within the context of FIMA’s 32nd Annual Convention.
The symposium was attended by the Global Outreach and Advocacy Advisor- UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific, who presented significant UNAIDS Fast Tracking Response to end the AIDS Epidemic by 2030.
FIMA, hereby, issues this Declaration:
1.WHEREAS current statistics from UNAIDS and other concerned NGOs point to significant successes of the UNAIDS Fast Tracking Response to end the AIDS Epidemic by 2030, and
2. WHEREAS the same statistics reveal significant increases in new HIV infections in many Muslim countries, including the Middle East, North Africa, Indonesia and Bangladesh, in which HIV/AIDS prevalence is traditionally much lower than other parts of the world, and
3. WHEREAS notions from contemporary prevailing social and lifestyle changes in Muslim countries point to expectations of possible increased HIV transmission, and
4. WHEREAS in the Islamic paradigm, HIV/AIDS is not considered as just a virus-induced disease, but rather a manifestation of a serious breakdown of socio-moral and behavioral norms afflicting human societies at varying degrees.
FIMA and many concerned workers caution from attitudes of false security from HIV and other STDs susceptibility, which may lead to complacency in adopting sound and sustainable policies and activities towards public awareness and prophylactic efforts.
FIMA and her IMA affiliates in many world regions have been concerned with the increasing trends of HIV transmission and disease in Muslim communities. Over the past several years, FIMA launched diligent prophylactic activities based on raising public awareness, and widespread training of local dedicated community leaders, especially among the youth, in collaboration with governmental, civil, social, religious and educational entities.
FIMA training and public awareness activities utilized latest scientific advances and epidemiologic knowledge, side by side with Islamic teachings and guidance that advocate values of self discipline, chastity, morality, decency, family centricity, and reject the expanding trends of promiscuity, homosexuality, commercial sex, drug abuse and other behaviors, that will always undermine global efforts to effectively combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
FIMA welcomes sound collaboration with other concerned NGOs, and specifically the accelerated contribution to the UNAIDS Fast Tracking AIDS Responses, and calls upon UNAIDS to be considerate to the constructive roles of Islamic values and paradigm in the long struggle aiming at an AIDS free world for the whole humanity generations.
Issued on 15 August , 2015,
Makassar, Indonesia.
