Asian Muslim Action Network, Asian Resource Foundation and Thai Muslim Network
International pre-conference Muslim workshop on HIV/AIDS

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

Bangkok, Thailand, 9 July 2004 

We the participants at the International Pre-conference Muslim Workshop on HIV/Aids organized by Asian Muslim Action Network, Asian Resource Foundation and Thai Muslim Network held on 9 July 2004 at Chaleena Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, represented by the following countries: Thailand, India, Afghanistan, Iran, Australia, Palestine, Norway, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nepal, UK, Kenya, South Africa, Laos, Egypt, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Pakistan came together with the following statement. 

1. We recognize that HIV/Aids is not just a disease or epidemic. 

2. We are calling for an Islamic approach based on the principles of Benevolence, Compassion, Justice and Wisdom identified with Allah's attributes of Adil, Muhsin, Rahman and Hakim. 

3. We recognize that youth and young people and women are most vulnerable and susceptible to the epidemic. 

4. We acknowledge that there are many effective efforts and programs implemented in the Muslim world that require to be scaled-up, coordinated with resources and expertise shared. 

5. We want our interventions to be impact driven and issues based. 

6. The pre-conference Muslim workshop called for monetary reallocation of zakat for treatment and care programs. 

7. We also acknowledge that people living with HIV/AIDS need unconditional love and support and are not to be stigmatized and discriminated. 

8. We recognize that abstinence and being faithful are pivotal preventive measures. In addition, we also recognize that the usage of condoms is also effective preventive tool in the case of discordant couples. 

9. We concur that it does not matter how one is infected but it does matter how one is affected. 

10. We call for greater involvement with equal stake holders of Muslim national and religious leaders for prevention, care, support and advocacy for HIV/AIDS. We recognize that religious leaders need to be empowered and informed of the dynamics of HIV/AIDS. 

11. We want to achieve an enabling environment within the mosques, madaris, and religious houses alike for people living with HIV/AIDS to get support , care and guidance. 

12. We recognize a need to form a global network of religious leaders comprising of various levels ranging from Imams to Muftis including community leaders, policy makers, academic and people living with HIV/AIDS to share resources and implement effective intervention programs. 

13. We recognize the importance of continuing interfaith cooperation for common goal to reduce HIV infection and create positive enabling environment for access to all. 

14. We end with the following verses from the Quran: 

"Who has created me, and it is He who guides me.
And it is He who feeds me and gives me to drink.
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.
And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to live (again).
And Who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense (the Day of Resurrection)."
(Quran 26:78-82) 

"And we send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe."
(Quran 17:82)

 And the following Hadith - the prophetic tradition: 

Allah (SWT) create the disease and the cure, if there is correct diagnosis for the disease there will be cure by the permission of Allah (SWT).

Asian Muslim Action Network, Asian Resource Foundation and Thai Muslim Network
International pre-conference Muslim workshop on HIV/AIDS

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

Bangkok, Thailand, 9 July 2004 

We the participants at the International Pre-conference Muslim Workshop on HIV/Aids organized by Asian Muslim Action Network, Asian Resource Foundation and Thai Muslim Network held on 9 July 2004 at Chaleena Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, represented by the following countries: Thailand, India, Afghanistan, Iran, Australia, Palestine, Norway, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nepal, UK, Kenya, South Africa, Laos, Egypt, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Pakistan came together with the following statement. 

1. We recognize that HIV/Aids is not just a disease or epidemic. 

2. We are calling for an Islamic approach based on the principles of Benevolence, Compassion, Justice and Wisdom identified with Allah's attributes of Adil, Muhsin, Rahman and Hakim. 

3. We recognize that youth and young people and women are most vulnerable and susceptible to the epidemic. 

4. We acknowledge that there are many effective efforts and programs implemented in the Muslim world that require to be scaled-up, coordinated with resources and expertise shared. 

5. We want our interventions to be impact driven and issues based. 

6. The pre-conference Muslim workshop called for monetary reallocation of zakat for treatment and care programs. 

7. We also acknowledge that people living with HIV/AIDS need unconditional love and support and are not to be stigmatized and discriminated. 

8. We recognize that abstinence and being faithful are pivotal preventive measures. In addition, we also recognize that the usage of condoms is also effective preventive tool in the case of discordant couples. 

9. We concur that it does not matter how one is infected but it does matter how one is affected. 

10. We call for greater involvement with equal stake holders of Muslim national and religious leaders for prevention, care, support and advocacy for HIV/AIDS. We recognize that religious leaders need to be empowered and informed of the dynamics of HIV/AIDS. 

11. We want to achieve an enabling environment within the mosques, madaris, and religious houses alike for people living with HIV/AIDS to get support , care and guidance. 

12. We recognize a need to form a global network of religious leaders comprising of various levels ranging from Imams to Muftis including community leaders, policy makers, academic and people living with HIV/AIDS to share resources and implement effective intervention programs. 

13. We recognize the importance of continuing interfaith cooperation for common goal to reduce HIV infection and create positive enabling environment for access to all. 

14. We end with the following verses from the Quran: 

"Who has created me, and it is He who guides me.
And it is He who feeds me and gives me to drink.
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.
And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to live (again).
And Who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense (the Day of Resurrection)."
(Quran 26:78-82) 

"And we send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe."
(Quran 17:82)

 And the following Hadith - the prophetic tradition: 

Allah (SWT) create the disease and the cure, if there is correct diagnosis for the disease there will be cure by the permission of Allah (SWT).