[afro-nets] 3rd International Muslim Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS

["Kassin Abdillahi Waiss" <kassin.abdillahi@dpworld.com>]

3rd International Muslim Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS
---------------------------------------------------------

23rd to 27th July 2007
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM LEADERS' CONSULTATION
  ON HIV/AIDS AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS.

  Background:

  In the year 2000, a group of Muslim practitioners interested in using  the Islamic approach to combat HIV/AIDS met in Durban South Africa  during the International AIDS Conference on AIDS. They included  representatives from the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda,  Islamic Medical Association of South Africa and the Malaysian AIDS  Council. It was noted that the experiences and culture of Muslim  communities in the fight against AIDS were not being adequately  catered for by current international AIDS conferences. It was agreed  that International Muslim Leaders' Consultations on AIDS should be  held to share the experiences of Muslim communities and chart the way  forward regarding the Islamic approach to combating AIDS.

  The 1st International Muslim Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS was  held in Kampala, Uganda in 2001 and it was organized by the Islamic  Medical Association of Uganda. The theme for the consultation  was "Strategies for strengthening and expanding the international  Muslim community response to AIDS". The consultation motto was "Jihad  on AIDS: Self discipline using Allah's guidance". During this  consultation it was agreed that an international centre for promotion  of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS be established in Uganda.

  The second International Muslim Leaders Consultation on AIDS was held  in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2003 and it was organized by the  Malaysian AIDS Council in conjunction with the Malaysian Government.  The theme was "The Caring Ummah, transforming the response". During  this consultation, it was noted that there was a need to clarify the  concept of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS and its implementation  among the Muslim communities.

  In the process of building on these experiences, the Islamic Medical  Association of Uganda in conjunction with the Ethiopian Islamic  Affairs Supreme Council are organizing the third International Muslim  Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS (3rd IMLC).

  VENUE : Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  DATES: 23rd ? 27th July 2007

  THEME : The Islamic Approach to HIV/AIDS: Enhancing the Community  Response.

  The operational definition of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS  includes the following  components:
  i. Believing in God
  ii. Learning the scientific facts about HIV/AIDS prevention,  treatment, care and support
  iii. Making use of relevant Islamic teachings
  iv. Forming partnerships with and making use of religious leaders and  their administrative structure.
  v. Making use of the concept of Jihad Nafs (The struggle of the soul  against temptation)by each individual to combat AIDS.

  GOAL : To reach a consensus on the strategies and modalities for  implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS prevention,treatment, care and support.

  PURPOSE : To bring Muslim leaders together as a "Think Tank" to  discuss contemporary issues on HIV/AIDS and reach a consensusregarding the way forward from the Islamic perspective.

  OBJECTIVES OF THE 3RD IMLC:

  1. To articulate and analyze the concept of the Islamic approach to  HIV/AIDS and how it can be transformed from theory into practice.
  2. To share experiences on the implementation of various aspects of  HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support using the concept of  the Islamic approach to AIDS
  3. To develop basic strategic plans to reach Muslim communities more  effectively in the implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.
  4. To plan for follow up activities after the 3rd IMLC in relation to  the implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.

  PARTICIPANTS OF THE 3RD IMLC:

  Participants of the 3rd IMLC will include the following categories:
  1. Muslim religious leaders at national and international level.
  2. Muslim men, women and youth leaders of national level non-governmental organizations
  3. Muslims living with HIV/AIDS and involved in advocacy.
  4. Muslim government department leaders
  5. Leaders of other organizations interested in promoting the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.

  CONSULTATION LEARNING METHODS:

  The learning methods for the consultation will be participatory with the following activities:
  1. Group discussions of contemporary issues on HIV/AIDS and strategies for implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.
  2. Key note presentations and discussions of selected contemporary issues related to the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS
  3. Presentations and discussions of selected community experiences and responses in the implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.
  4. Plenary session feed back, discussion and consensus building and consensus statements

  LANGUAGE OF THE 3RD IMLC:

  The language of the 3rd IMLC will be English with translation into Arabic, French and Amharic for plenary sessions only.

  EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE 3RD IMLC, INSHALLAH (GOD WILLING):
  1. Participants will reach a consensus on the concept of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS and how it should be transformed from theory into practice.
  2. Participants will share experiences and best practices on the implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.
  3. Participants will develop basic strategic plans for implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/ AIDS among Muslim communities.
  4. The proceedings of the 3rd IMLC related to the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS will be documented and disseminated.
  5. The capacity and enthusiasm of participants to implement the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support will be enhanced.

  REGISTRATION:

  Interested participants are requested to complete the registration form and email it back to the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda by 20/5/2007.

  SPONSORSHIP BY CONSULTATION ORGANISERS:

  A limited number of participants will be fully sponsored to attend the consultation. The selection of these will be based on set criteria. The selected participants will be sent an invitation letter by 10th June 2007 Inshallah.

  SPONSORSHIP BY OTHER PARTNERS:

  A limited number of participants who are able to find sponsorship for themselves will be accepted to attend the consultation. The selection of these participants will be based on set criteria. Once a participant is selected to attend the consultation he or she will be required to pay the consultation attendance fee in advance. Each self sponsored participant will pay US$.2580. This includes conference registration, conference materials, local transport, accommodation and meals for 6 days. Incidental expenses and air tickets are not included in this payment. Selected self sponsored participants will be informed of payment details. Payments have to be made by 25/6/2007. After payment, an official invitation letter will be sent to the participant

  ABSTRACTS SUBMISSION:

  The 3rd IMLC will include sessions to share experiences, successes, best practices and challenges in the implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. Experiences in Islamic approach to stigma reduction, life skills utilization and other issues related to HIV/AIDS will also be shared. Participants with experience in implementation of one or more of the components of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS as defined in the consultation theme are requested to submit abstracts. Experiences from Muslims living with HIV/AIDS are highly encouraged. Abstracts should be submitted in the following format:

  Title:
  Author(s)
  Institution:
  Issues: A short summary of the issues addressed
  Description: A brief description of the project, experience, service or advocacy.
  Lessons learnt: A brief description of the results of the project, or experience.
  Recommendations: A brief statement of the next steps.

  Length: Abstracts should not exceed 250 words.

  Deadline: Abstracts should be submitted by 20/5/2007

  Abstracts should be submitted by email to:
  Islamic Medical Association of Uganda
  Subject: 3rd IMLC Abstract.
  Email: mailto:imau@utlonline.co.ug / mailto:imau_ug@hotmail.com

  PARTNERS IN ORGANIZING THE 3RD IMLC:
  The following are the core partners that are organizing the 3rd IMLC:
  Islamic Medical Association of Uganda (IMAU)
  Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council
  USAID
  Constella Futures
  World Conference of Religions for Peace.

  CONTACT PERSONS AT THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE 3RD IMLC:
  Dr. Magid Kagimu,
  Islamic Medical Association of Uganda,
  International Centre for Promotion of the Islamic Approach to
  HIV/AIDS.
  P. O. Box 2773
  Kampala, Uganda
  Telephones: +256-41-4570701/3, +256-774-528752
  Mobile: +256-782-016868
  Fax +256-41-4251443
  Email: mailto:imau@utlonline.co.ug or mailto:imau_ug@hotmail.com

  Dr. Karama Said,
  Islamic Medical Association of Uganda
  International Centre for Promotion of the Islamic Approach to
  HIV/AIDS.
  P. O. Box 2773
  Kampala, Uganda
  Tel: +256-41-4570704
  Mobile:+ 256-712-251443
  Fax +256-41-4251443
  Email: mailto:imau@utlonline.co.ug or mailto:sakarama48@maktoob.com ,
  mailto:imau_ug@hotmail.com