<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">RELIGIOUS AND MORAL DIMENSIONS OF HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC</font></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Presented by Dr. Malik S. Khan<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sec-Gen</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><a href="mailto:worlddialogue@yahoo.com"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">worlddialogue@yahoo.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, </font><a href="mailto:globaldialogue@yahoo.com"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">globaldialogue@yahoo.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, </font><a href="mailto:iirelief@yahoo.com"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">iirelief@yahoo.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Representing Ejaz-ul-Quran and Hadith Al-Ilmi Foundation of Islam</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">World Council of Muslim Communities (a UN-affiliated organization)</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">and the world's Islamic peace movements, Grand Muftis, eminent scholars, teachers, and imams.</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">This presentation has been approved by:</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Omar Nasseef, President of World Muslim Congress, International Council of Da`wah and Irshad,</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">and World Council of Muslim Communities</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">H.E. Raja Zafarul Haq, Secretary-General of World Muslim Congress</font></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May 16<sup>th</sup> is World AIDS Day<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"></b></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">We are very thankful to be invited today to speak to this beautiful audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We offer our humble appreciation to Allah for providing me this opportunity to present this paper on "Religious and Moral Dimensions of HIV/AIDS Epidemic."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Indeed the epidemic is a new calamity befalling the human population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Naturally, it is not present in all individuals, and those diagnosed with HIV who receive prompt treatment may never develop full-blown AIDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The proportion of those infected whose condition progresses from HIV to AIDS has therefore varied widely from community to community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After remaining dormant for months or years, the virus goes into the bloodstream and depletes the body's nutriments, hormones, and ability to resist diseases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once AIDS has been diagnosed, with the depleted immune system susceptible to a variety of infectious agents, the condition is generally fatal, the patient dying of infectious agents or excessive weight loss due to reduced ability to extract the nutrition from food. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The scare stories regarding transmission that abounded when AIDS was new on the world scene have been disproved, so that most people are now aware that AIDS is not spread by casual contact such as sneezing, hugging, or toilet seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The danger of transmission of the affliction from the affected individuals to the unaffected ones comes through interjection of bodily fluid, chiefly semen or blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Accordingly, one of the major methods of transmission is sexual contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners greatly increases the risk of contracting the disease and further spreading it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The innocent victim is the partner, who committed no sin, but suffers because the other has brought it home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The main risk groups in this category are homosexual or bisexual men and heterosexual contacts of infected persons, as well as children of tainted women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The other debased means is the transfusion of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Though blood for transfusions is now routinely screened for HIV, contaminated blood passes the infection to the recipient in the high-risk group of drug addicts who share needles.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Some of the common symptoms of AIDS are:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>depression, blisters, skin problems, dry cough, lymph node swelling, cold sweats in the night, diarrhea, and unusual infections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The symptom most directly responsible for death by AIDS is weight loss, which may be as severe as 10kg in a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the human body has wasted to 55% of its normal weight for whatever reason, the body dies.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The AIDS victims suffer not only for the disease; they also suffer socially and become the untouchables in the communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nobody wants to live with them or wants them to live in their neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The family members of those who are diagnosed with AIDS or who have died from it are discriminated against, and this stigma makes people suffer all the more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This, paradoxically, contributes to the spread of AIDS by encouraging a mentality where a person would potentially endanger the life of a new or second sexual partner rather than undergo HIV testing with its perceived risk of losing one's job or being outcast by one's family and community upon testing positive.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">By far, the permissive, perverted, and promiscuous societies are the breeding grounds of these vices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sensualism, alcoholism, intoxication, gambling, drug abuse, homosexuality, promiscuity, prostitution, sodomy, and provocative or unnatural indulgences directly or indirectly lead to the HIV/AIDS track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moreover, as any addition affects the body, brain, and social relations, impairing the subject's biological, intellectual, psychological, and social defenses, these impulses are carried over to his offspring, thereby further intensifying the dangers of the epidemic.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Yet some people eagerly advocate legalization of those virulences, either in the name of freedom or in the guise of socialization, often attracting the children or youth to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once on such a collision course, disaster is eventually the outcome, with no point of return.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Then to ignite these tendencies yonder, the media and business play equally destructive roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alluring and exciting imagery has become the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">leitmotif</i> of communication and advertising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To begin with, there are presently 400,000 sex websites, visited by sixty million viewers daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In broadcasting events or introducing products, intoxicants (tobacco, alcohol), pleasure (pulsating music, throbbing dance), and voluptuosity (premature indulgences, premarital sex) are projected as manly and macho manifestations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Promoted as good-time experiences and considered as attributes of a free society, appearing as glamorous and sociable, they are taken as harmless fun and zestful amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thus, in the absence of prohibition or social disapproval, it is common for people to become enslaved to lower desires and become alcoholics, compulsive gamblers, adulterers, drug addicts or abusers of other substances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Indeed, it is a shameful illusion.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Today throughout the modern world how easily available to minors tobacco, alcohol, and drug paraphernalia are!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>People who give over their minds to alcohol and mind-altering drugs can easily become victims of AIDS.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">This presents a horrifying specter of capricious behavior toward life and in particular toward sexual attitudes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A grave situation prevails especially in Sub-Saharan and West Africa, where more than 75 percent of youth are sexually active.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the United States, many youth have had several sexual partners before even graduating from high school. The shocking news also tells us that new strains of diseases are not combatable by antibiotics.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">As a result, the number of people afflicted with HIV continues to rise in all parts of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In 2007, according to statistics published by UNAIDS and WHO, 33.2 million affectees were living with the virus, which included 30.8 million adults, of whom 15.4 million were women, and 2.5 million children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In sub-Saharan Africa, 6.2% of all adults aged 15-49 are infected with HIV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In China, though the overall incidence is only one-tenth of one percent, certain communities have a prevalence of up to 60%<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Over 1,600,000 people are languishing with HIV in Latin American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>32,000 people are dying every day, and 16,000 new cases arise every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is more or less close and reasonable statistics.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">There is a wide diversity in prevalence of affliction among regions and countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In Botswana, the worst affected country in the world, the ascendancy is 24.1 percent of the adult populace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next highest concentration is in the Caribbean, where 230,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV or AIDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Steep increases have also been observed in some Asian and East European nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the more developed regions, the regnancy is lower, with 2006 percentages of .0013% in Australia, .0014% in UK, .0010 in Canada, and .0139 in the United States.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The number of deaths caused by AIDS has mounted steadily over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More than 25 million people have expired since the disease was first diagnosed in 1981.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were about 2.43 million deaths due to AIDS in 2007, including more than 2 million in Africa, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>58,000 in Latin America, 11,000 in the Caribbean, and roughly 163,000 in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, all of these figures suffer from underreporting due to wrong methodology used by taking a random sample and generalizing over the entire country.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The number of children orphaned by the disease is estimated at 15 million, Africa being the most affected continent, 12 million souls having lost one or both parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are an additional 3 million orphans in other parts of the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the whole, it is predicted that by the year 2010, the volume of AIDS orphans could swell to more than 18 million.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most of them grow up in poverty, faced with increased risk of violence and exposed to bitter exploitation and abuse.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Response to this crisis has equally been widespread, on both the national and international level, and for both prevention and cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nationally, governmental initiatives have been characterized by comprehensive policies and programs in many countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Forthright national leadership, combined with public awareness and intensive prevention efforts, has resulted in some notable successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Concern over HIV/AIDS has ranked high on the population policy agenda of most countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Governments are pursuing multi-pronged strategies to combat the problem, in partnership with and succor of civil society, focusing on:</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">1.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR"><font size="3">legislation (non-discrimination, non-stigmatization)</font></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">2.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR"><font size="3">policy (aggressive promotion)</font></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">3.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR"><font size="3">execution (effective implementation)</font></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">4.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><font size="3">education (public awareness, information, publicity)</font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">5.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><font size="3">communication (public relations, confidence-building, assistance)</font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">6.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><font size="3">prevention (counseling, testing, condom use, blood screening, modification of sexual behavior); and</font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">7.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><font size="3">treatment (antiretroviral facilities). and</font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font size="3">8.</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><font size="3">institutionalization (networking, support groups, coordinating linkages, organizational provisions).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Religious institutions and education, inculcating fear of sin and Hellfire, remain the best tool for the prevention of the most common behaviors that spread HIV/AIDS.</font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">While these exertions have frequently been fragmented and narrow, they have, over time, been strengthened, promising better services in the coming days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In particular, whereas antiretroviral remedy has significantly prolonged life by thwarting the development of HIV into full-blown AIDS, access thereto has remained low owing chiefly to high costs.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Internationally, too, the epidemic has prompted an unprecedented array of global, regional, national, and local responses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Beginning in 1994, the Economic and Social Council has, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">inter alia</i>, established the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to launch and support a coordinated action from the United Nations system as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The urgency of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>concerted schemata was publicized by the United Nations Millennium Declaration (2000), which noted the resolve of the Members to halt and reverse the spread of the epidemic by the year 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was reiterated in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted by the General Assembly (2001), which acknowledged the preventive measures as the mainstays to meet the challenges posed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Additional resources were being brought to bear by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, among other things, created by the General Assembly (2002).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Further, in view of the devastating toll of the epidemic in Africa, the UN Secretary General established the Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa (2003) to make recommendations for eradicating the menace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most recently, the High-level Meeting to review the achievement of the goals set out in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2005) afforded an opportunity for the international community to take stock of its efforts to counter the disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, along with its other allied activities, monitors trends and policies related to HIV/AIDS and provides throughout the world up-to-date, accurate and scientifically objective information thereon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also, as a constant reminder, May 16<sup>th</sup> has been recognized as the International Day of HIV/AIDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This helps promote the cause of alleviating the suffering.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">However, while there have been many examples of success and progress, they have essentially represented stop-gap solutions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Indeed, the global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic having fallen short of what is required, the dilemma of adequately tackling the problem still remains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the contrary, certain artificial means assumed in desperation (e.g. indiscriminate use of condoms) and in spite of their apparent benefits (e.g., avoidance of chance pregnancy) have had long-term detrimental consequences by encouragement of irresponsible behavior and degenerating the society (e.g., prevalence of adultery, which has its own ill effects).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eventually, such practices increase rather than decrease the spread of the epidemic.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The reason has been the fundamental deficiency of the theories and policies adopted which, dwelling heavily on secular ingredients, lack the necessary spiritual contents that are the essence of straight society. As all religions place prohibition on harmful conduct, it is religion and moral factors that motivate individuals to follow a righteous course away from vices, avoiding personal or social injury to anybody, including themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Consequently, despite all efforts otherwise, ignorance and rejection of the Divine Message will lead to perpetual damnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All the revealed religions (e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam) lay down clearly in their respective scriptures (the Torah, Bible, Qur'an) the paths of pious life and graceful existence, providing guidance and showing signs, so aw to ensure rewards here and hereafter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Simultaneously, they enjoin to stay away from dereliction and not to go astray, warning against the chastisement that lies ahead for sinful and disobedient conduct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Keeping with human dignity, they prescribe commendable deeds (e.g. truth-telling, honesty, compassion, tolerance, respect, kindness, cleanliness, piety, sobriety) and enjoin to abhor detestable misdeeds (e.g., lying, theft, killing, intoxication, adultery, gambling, fornication, homosexuality, slavery).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moreover, abuse of human body, misuse of wealth, wastage of resources, and worship of the unworthy are forbidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Islam has on its part laid a great stress on pious bearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Making the Divine Dictates as the bases of creation, sustenance, and existence, it has ordained an upright pathway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Walking on it promises all the bounties of health, prosperity, and happiness, while deviation therefrom eventuates to disease, misery, and sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As such, it has allowed only lawful living, eating, drinking, and behaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At the same time it has prohibited leading a flagitious life, consumption of harmful substances, and displaying of culpable demeanor, which paralyze body, mind, and spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In short, only in Godly way the beneficial and beautiful activities are sanctioned, while abusive and destructive indulgences are estopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Indeed, where and when Islamic ideology prevailed the society trod on a healthy and happy trail free from thorny and painful gait.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Surely, were humans following the righteous course so explicitly provided by the Almighty through His apostles and avoiding the evils urges in their lives, they should have not fallen into such a calamitous pit as HIV/AIDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While its scourge is still raging, being in a blind alley, they are behaving as helpless spectators.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recourse for them, therefore, is to offer their sincere repentance on past fallacies, straighten their crooked ways, and assume the Divinely prescribed style of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For this, they ought to follow the Holy Injunctions as revealed through God's messengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Humanity will be salvaged from the abysmal depths into which it has descended only through subservience and obedience to the decrees of the Almighty (Who alone is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists, in the Owner and provider of everything, is All-Knowing and All-Powerful, and Who alone is worthy of praise and worship).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Those who seek Him will find Him with His Grace and Guidance to establish lasting peace, bliss, and abundance.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Now, this is the duty of the utmost urgency falling upon all the religionists and specially the adherents of the three Abrahamic faiths (viz. Jews, Christians, Muslims) to commit themselves to work together as a team in finding answers to prevent, cure, eradicate, and safeguard against the epidemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For this to achieve desirable results, systematic and sustained efforts shall be necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Faith-based groups, toiling in unison in a coordinated fashion, will be able to bring about a spruce environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In such a regimen, religio-moral values will prevail in the lives of the people, controlling, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">inter alia</i>, their physicao-material necessities. While love of God and loyalty to His commandments shall promote this balance, His fear and wrath will guard them agaist their bungling into lustful traps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With spiritual elements as adduced, the society will be both celestially hale and corporeally hardy, self-regulating when the equilibrium is tilted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So revitalized and invigorated, neither evil onslaughts will destroy its élan nor malignant threats shall ruin its substance, while projecting itself as a sound enterprise.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">In this connection, three coordinated programs with different foci shall be simultaneously launched. The first, short-term, will emphasize on the care and treatment (including spiritual treatment) of those already infected by HIV/AIDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Appropriate legislation and policies with adequate means of their implementation shall be advanced to provide the victims socio-emotional relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Further, in the same vein, support and comfort groups will be established in each affected community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Possibilities of antiretroviral facilities shall likewise be expanded as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Research and trial of other medicines for the alleviation and cure of the disease shall equally be encouraged in the same spirit.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The second, medium-term, program will initiate a concerted preventive campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Through education, publicity, and information, the public shall be made aware of the horrors of the epidemic and urged to follow the physico-morally sanctioned conduct (i.e., respect for human body, consumption of clean foods, indulgence in licit sexual relationship only) and avoidance of profane activities (e.g., drug abuse, gambling, fornication, prostitution, adultery).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For these purposes, provisions or necessary public relations, information, publicity, literature, discussion, and counseling shall be stressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Facilities for safe medical practices (e.g., blood scanning, sterile equipment) shall be broadly disseminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Similarly, adherence to cautious sexual contacts (e.g., medication, condom use) shall be urged, particularly in lawful sexual relationships as necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The third, long-term, program shall focus on the reform of the social environment on spiritual grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Interfaith congregations from all communities and creeds will join hands in a meaningful way and cooperative order, sharing their concern and resources, to cleanse the society of vices that have led and have the potential of leading to HIV/AIDS along with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Through their mutuality and sincerity, a vigorous social movement would be mounted, which could bring solace and salvation to the aching earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The evils underlying the epidemic thus fought out, giving birth to an upright community, this will ensure prevalence of a really peaceful and prosperous destiny for mankind.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Then and only then, humanity may consider itself safe from the plight of HIV/AIDS and safeguarded against future outbreaks.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">-----------</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>We are honored to have been chosen to present this paper with a view of all the religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We offer our appreciation and thanks to the Conference organizers and helpers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We pray to the Almighty to further strengthen our relationship as brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ameen.</font></font></p>
<br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 10:05 AM, CONGO WSIS - Philippe Dam <<a href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org">wsis@ngocongo.org</a>> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">[Please note that by using 'REPLY', your response goes to the entire list. Kindly use individual addresses for responses intended for specific people]<br>
<br>Click <a href="http://wsis.funredes.org/plenary/" target="_blank">http://wsis.funredes.org/plenary/</a> to access automatic translation of this message!<br>_______________________________________<br><br><br>
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<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear all, </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For your information, on Action Line C-5 (22-23 May 2008).</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Best, </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Philippe</span></font></p>
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<p><b><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">De :</span></font></b><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <a href="mailto:strategy@itu.int" target="_blank">strategy@itu.int</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:strategy@itu.int" target="_blank">strategy@itu.int</a>] <br>
<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Envoyé :</span></b> jeudi, 15. mai 2008 14:06<br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Cc :</span></b> <a href="mailto:csd@itu.int" target="_blank">csd@itu.int</a><br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Objet :</span></b> Information for Participants of the Third Meeting for WSIS Action Line C5 (22-23 May 2008)</span></font><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear Participants,</span></font> <br><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As participants of the Third<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> WSIS Action Line C5</span></b> Facilitation Meeting scheduled for<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> 22-23 May</span></b> in<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Room K at ITU</span></b>, this message is to provide you with some basic information about the structure of the meeting and also how you can actively participate during the two days.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The draft Agenda and practical information about the meeting can be found at: </span></font><a href="http://www.itu.int/osg/csd/cybersecurity/WSIS/3rdMeeting.html" target="_blank"><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">http://www.itu.int/osg/csd/cybersecurity/WSIS/3rdMeeting.html</span></font></a></p>
<p><b><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Day 1: 22 May</span></font></b><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">: The goal is to keep the discussions as interactive as possible, allowing a maximum of 4-5 minutes per speaker at the beginning of the session for opening remarks based on the theme and issues for that session. We will then move directly into a dynamic discussion amongst the panellists and Q & A with the audience. In this spirit we will not be using Power Point or audio visual presentations but panellists are encouraged to send to </span></font><a href="mailto:gca@itu.int" target="_blank"><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">gca@itu.int</span></font></a><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> their presentations or reports as reference/background material. We would therefore encourage you to take a look at the themes and issues for each session and prepare your questions, answers or views. </span></font></p>
<p><b><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Day 2: 23 May</span></font></b><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">: The focus will be on</span></font> <font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">presentations (PowerPoint and Reports) on initiatives undertaken by various stakeholders. Day 2 will also include discussions on strategies for identifying WSIS C5 targets, mechanisms for their measurement and reporting. A draft proposal from ITU to be used as basis for discussions on identifying targets for C5, discussions on measuring progress and reporting will be posted under</span></font><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span></b><b><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Session 6</span></font></b> <font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">of the agenda. </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Even though you might not be a Moderator, Panellist or Speaker for both days of the meeting, you are encouraged to submit any document or presentation that you consider relevant to the discussions or to advancing the goals of WSIS Action Line C5. </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The sessions during the two days will be streamed live (video and audio) via the Internet in MPEG4/ITU-T H264 format and also archived for future reference. </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The entire event will be in English only. Except for the agenda and brochures, there will be no paper documents distributed during this meeting.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The meeting room has WiFi access so you are encouraged to bring your computers. </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Best regards,</span></font> </p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="blue" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Alexander NTOKO</span></font> <br><font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Head, Corporate Strategy Division</span></font> <br>
<font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Focal Point, WSIS Action Line C5</span></font> <br><font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">International Telecommunication Union (ITU)</span></font> <br>
<font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Place des Nations</span></font> <br><font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">CH-1211 Geneva 20</span></font> <br>
<font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Switzerland</span></font> <br><font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Email: <a href="mailto:gca@itu.int" target="_blank">gca@itu.int</a></span></font> <br>
<font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Web: </span></font><a><font face="Arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">www.itu.int</span></font></a> <br><font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Tel: +41 22 730 5525</span></font> <br>
<font face="Arial" color="blue"><span style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fax: +41 22 730 6453</span></font> </p></div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>Plenary mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Plenary@wsis-cs.org">Plenary@wsis-cs.org</a><br>
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