Muslim leaders praised for leading by example

Senior Muslim figures who recently underwent voluntary HIV tests were praised this week by health officials for "leading by example, rather than just talking about what people should do". The leaders, who included 14 sheikhs, imams and religious teachers from around Tanzania, chose to undergo the tests following a meeting earlier this month, during which Muslims discussed their role in the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. "The fact that they did actually go and get tested might be a stimulus for some people, especially at the level of the community, where people respect their religious leaders," said Hilde Basstanie, the programme adviser for UNAIDS in Tanzania. Basstanie called the leaders' move "new" and "helpful" as it was an example of "going for testing and realising that everybody is somehow at risk and needs to know their status in order to make responsible decisions for the future". She said: "There are other cases of religious leaders fighting stigma, and showing they care for those affected by HIV/AIDS, but I think this might be an example that could be followed by other religious leaders." Muslims account for roughly one-third of Tanzania's population, so, the leaders said, they had taken the tests hoping that their followers would follow suit. "We felt it was very necessary for us to be tested, because we are a part of the community, we are leaders, and many people follow what people like ourselves say and do," Yusuf al-Hakir, a teacher in a madrasa, on the island of Mafia, told PlusNews on Tuesday. "As a teacher in a religious school, I feel that I should play my role in teaching the youngsters - who are most affected by HIV/AIDS - so that they can equip themselves with the necessary life skills to prevent themselves from catching this killer disease," al Hakir added. However, whereas he said Muslims would be active in advocating and educating people in the battle against AIDS, he said they would never condone the use of condoms. There are currently no figures on HIV prevalence amongst the Muslim population, but, according to UN figures, about two million Tanzanians are living with the virus.