Sensitization of Maulanas and Maulavis on HIV/AIDS in Kishanganj district
A Report
This innovative and yet challenging project was initiated in the month of September for one year duration involving sensitization of religious leaders of two blocks Pothia and Kishanganj of Kishanganj district on the issues of HIV/AIDS. Bihar State Aids Control Society (BSACS) has declared Kishanganj district a "high risk" zone in view of high number of HIV positive cases.
It is also a predominantly minority district with large number of madarasas in villages.Maulanas and Maulavis are respected in villages and people usually look to them for advice .They have great influence on people in their day to day lives. This is a very important and influential segment of society whose support is crucial for combating the disease. So far they are not taken in confidence by any Govt agency for promoting HIV awareness in the district. As it is a very traditional Muslim society, men are the decision makers and the opinion of women usually does not count.
If the religious leaders are sensitized and made aware of the consequences of HIV/AIDS they can play positive role in preventing the spread of this disease through mobilizing people. The other objective was to make people especially migrant groups aware and informed about the HIV/AIDS, its spread and consequences.
Azad India Foundation decided to target Maulavis and Madarasa teachers for imparting training in HIV/AIDS through selected Maulavis who were given trainings and orientations. That proved to be very good decision because they were able to convince other religious heads to be involved in awareness program. The trainings were conducted by Dr Diwakar Tejaswi who is the Medical Director of RATNEI (Regional AIDS Training Centre and Network in India, Patna).He gave comprehensive information about the spread and growth of HIV virus.
Later monthly orientations were organized to refresh the information of the team members. The main purpose was to involve and educate the larger community as a whole through these Maulavis and Maulanas. Azad India Foundation translated and prepared pamphlets and brochures in Urdu which were used by the Maulanas to spread awareness in the community.
These Maulanas and Maulavis tried to promote healthy living and awareness about the disease through Friday sermons, jalsas and daily interaction among men and boys. AIF also selected 5 people living with HIV/AIDS who did counseling sessions and community meetings with migrant population. They also visited railway station and bus stand meeting people.
The main strategies were to conduct workshops and interactive sessions with the Maulanas and Maulavis .These were done at the Madarasas and Mosques itself. AIF approached the religious leaders cautiously and in small groups through intensive discussions to have better impact.
Due to sustained efforts of AIF team members we are able to reach 1478 religious leaders in place of 500 target group and covered 213 Madarasas and Mosques. The other strategies were to conduct meetings with the community and migrant groups.
In one such meeting our cluster coordinator Mr Kaisar Alam reunited one HIV + person who was turned out of the home by other family members through counseling. We followed Nukkad Natak as a communication strategy to reach larger audience at panchayat level.
Our trained natak mandli performed in local surjapuri language at strategic locations including haats and village level functions spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day was also celebrated at Galgalia pul Madarasa where 50 Maulanas participated and pledged to create awareness among people.
Our team of Maulanas also organized meetings at local schools, haats even buses and railway station inviting admiration and at times even ridicule from others. They advised more than 150 people for VCTC who were suspected to be HIV+. AIF also sensitized the local media including Urdu newspapers to get support for our cause.
However Azad India Foundation faced many difficulties and challenges during the course of the work. The stigma and discrimination attached to HIV/AIDS is the biggest challenge faced by Azad India Foundation.
It proved Herculean task to convince religious leaders to come forward and initiate discussion and awareness among the community members. At times religion was a barrier as they felt that these things should not be discussed in open. Many Ullemas objected to the use of condom saying that we are promoting sin 'ZINA" as people will think that by using condom they can do anything. Talking about HIV/AIDS will remove 'sharm/haya' from the society.
Religion is a sensitive issue and when a religious leader is involved in a program like HIV/AIDS it is important to follow a cautious way so as not to antagonize the religious leaders. In some villages, people still unable to accept that this disease can affect anybody. Due to miscon ceptions they believe that HIV/AIDS affect only certain section of the society (CSWs). Due to poverty and considerable distance from Kishanganj sadar hospital many suspected patients inspite of having being counseled to get VCTC done are unable to do so.
Our PLHA staff also faced stiff resistance from the migrant groups who are not ready to accept that they are at high risk. The mindset along with religion is biggest barrier, which prevents people in accepting about the disease and going for VCTC. Our constant interaction and sensitization has been able to find a footstep in religious community, as we have been able to sensitize so many Maulavis and Maulanas. Many religious leaders have limited information about HIV/AIDS along with myths and misconceptions.
Our project team used quotes and "Ayats" from Quran liberally in convincing religious leaders as well as community members. The change will come gradually but we have to be patient and work hard to sustain the environment created
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