Religious Leaders in Africa Vow to Fight the Spread of AIDS

Religious leaders from across Africa vowed to work to stem the spread of AIDS, to protect children affected by the epidemic, and to denounce the stigma associated with the disease. In a joint communiqué concluding a three-day interfaith conference in Nairobi organized by the World Conference for Religion and Peace and the Hope for African Children Initiative, leaders said they recognized "that HIV/AIDS is a problem that compels us to re-examine our traditions for guidance."

"We commit ourselves and urge our believers to work to stop the spread of this disease in ways respectful of conscience as it is informed by our religious beliefs," the religious leaders stated. "Too often, our ignorance, fear and denial have held us back as teachers about HIV/AIDS," they said, pledging to make AIDS and its impact on children, youth and families their priority.

In response to a question after the meeting, Nigeria's Abuja Archbishop John Onaiyekan said his church's opposition to condom use was "based on principle." He added that better progress in the fight against AIDS could be achieved through awareness and self-control. "We did not go into the subject of condoms" during the conference, said Sheikh Al-Hajj Yusuf Yusuf Murigu, the vice chair of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims. He said Islam would not oppose the use of condoms as an AIDS control measure in certain family situations but could not condone "the distribution of condoms to boys and girls to have sex."

Participants urged the international community, particularly developed countries, to honor their commitments to increase funding to AIDS programs, especially helping to raise $7 billion to $10 billion, a target set for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

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