MOROCCAN IMAMS TO RECEIVE EDUCATION IN SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED

UNCLAS RABAT 001377 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KHIV KISL PHUM PGOV MO SUBJECT: MOROCCAN IMAMS TO RECEIVE EDUCATION IN SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES ¶1. Summary: Moroccan Imams will begin receiving awareness training as part of the GOM's fight against HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) beginning in Sept 2006. The voluntary training represents a joint initiative by the Ministries of Islamic Affairs (MIA) and Health (MOH),and consists of classes covering human anatomy and the means of HIV transmission. It will not include discussion on the use of condoms. The training will be conducted by a Moroccan NGO, the Moroccan League Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (LMLMST),and is part of the GOM's efforts to aggressively combat the spread of HIV while respecting traditional Muslim values. The involvement of religious leaders builds upon the 2004 Cairo Declaration calling for religious institutions to provide economic and spiritual support to people infected with HIV. End Summary. -------------- -- Imam Training Part of Broad Government Campaign -------------- -- ¶2. As reported in the French language weekly, Le Journal Hebdomadaire, a Moroccan NGO (LMLMST) is slated to begin an educational initiative in September 2006 for Imams and Morchidates (women religious educators in mosques). The training will cover the transmission of the HIV virus with the intent of sensitizing one of the most important forces in Moroccan social and religious life to the realities of HIV/AIDS. The plan is for the Imams and Morchidates, whose participation is voluntarily, to receive basic HIV and STD training in order to increase awareness and to change traditional Muslim perceptions related to STDs. In Morocco, as well as other Arab countries, many issues connected with the HIV epidemic and sexuality in general have been taboo, and STDs have often been perceived as a punishment from God. ¶3. Professor Mohamed Belkebir, a sociologist in charge of this program for LMLMST, told Econ FSN the program is intended as the first-step in providing the religious community with factual information concerning prevention, transmission, and consequences of STDs. He stressed that at this stage the role of condoms will not be included. The initiative builds upon the 2004 UNDP Cairo Declaration, signed by religious leaders from 19 Arab countries, which declared that people with HIV/AIDS should receive economic, psychological, and spiritual support from religious institutions. ¶4. In June 2006, the GOM highlighted its HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts through a high profile appearance of Princess Lalla Salma, and Minister of Health Mohammed Cheikh Biadillah at the UN AIDS conference in New York. At the conference, Biadillah emphasized that the implementation of any strategy against the spread of HIV/AIDS required a partnership between civil society and the government, as well as durable funding. Good to his word, the Imam training initiative represents a government-civil partnership among the MOH, the MIA, and LMLMST, with funding provided by the Global Fund, an international NGO combating AIDS. -------------- Growing Infection Rate In Women Raises Alarm -------------- ¶5. The GOM seeks to avoid a potential health crisis in Morocco. While the HIV prevalence rate is below 0.15 percent (well under the 9 percent adult prevalence rate for much of Africa),Morocco has a high rate of STDs and a high influx of refugees, two major risk factors for the spread of HIV. In addition, observers point to a sharp increase (over 30 percent in the past 5 years) in infection rate among women, both inside and outside of marriage. ¶6. Because of low literacy rates in Morocco and the widespread taboos about discussing sex and sexuality in public, AIDS educators are seeking to take advantage of the Imams' moral authority. However, a recent survey released by the MIA and the MOH revealed that of 360 surveyed Imams, the majority were either unaware or ignored the medical aspects, causes, and effects of HIV infection. On the positive side, the majority of those surveyed expressed enthusiasm and interest in participating in the program. ¶7. Comment. The inclusion of Islamic leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS is a significant initiative by the GOM and serves as another example of Morocco's moderate Muslim views. Throughout much of the Arab world, HIV is still considered a curse from God and those infected suffer from alienation and stigmatization. The results of the 360 Imams surveyed underscore the need for this program, and highlight the general state of HIV and STD misunderstanding throughout much of the region. However, failure to address the role of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted diseases appears to be a serious shortcoming of this otherwise positive initiative. End Comment. RILEY