Peace Building and Interfaith Dialogue to combat HIV/AIDS in Indonesia

By: Dhea Dahlia Madanih[1]

Presentation in The Third International Muslim Leaders Consultation

in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia

23rd July 2007

Background

In Indonesia, like many other Asian countries, AIDS is a growing problem. The Indonesia Ministry of Health estimates that by 2010 there will be approximately 110,000 people who will either have full-blown AIDS or will have died of the disease, and another one million more that will be HIV-positive. Furthermore, according to UNDP report there are groups are at persistent risk for HIV infection. They are initially related to sexual transmission and injecting drug users. The epidemic fuelled by drug injection is already spreading into remote parts of this archipelago. Experts warn that if risk behaviors among drug injectors, among male, female and transgender sex workers, and among clients of sex workers do not change from the levels observed in surveillance performed in 2006, Indonesia will be seeing a far worse epidemic. That is why the complexities of the HIV/AIDS have evidenced need to tackle the problem through multi strategies.

Interfaith Dialogue Frame Work

How religious groups should understand and respond to HIV and AIDS problems In Indonesia ?

Recently, in term of taking action religious approach for HIV prevention, Muslim-Non Muslim groups both governmental organization and non governmental organization in Indonesia have strategies through education as well as campaign to outline the major challenges to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

The social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, that exists in all societies is much more pronounced within cultures. Lack of knowledge in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment triggers potential conflicts among people as well as discrimination of PLWHAs. A few such incidents has shown that the concept of morality and identity was the associated factor for discrimination and stigmatizations.

Community members have regarding how HIV/AIDS is contracted, as well as their perception of HIV/AIDS as a moral transgression. As a result the stigma prevents those at risk from coming forward for appropriate counseling, testing, and treatment, as it involves disclosure of risky practices.

Hence, the principles of harm reduction or harm minimization needs to take into consideration the powerful impact of religious leaders who hold the key to have great influences to every aspect of an individual’s life in the community.

Through cooperation between religious community in term of tackling the problems of HIV/AIDS such as interfaith dialogue, building community base in grassroots level to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention and care and support messages insures reaching a wide audience.

How to do ?

· Networking inter and intra religious community In dealing with HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care programs

· Education of accurate knowledge of HIV transmission, methods of preventing HIV infection and the risk associated with ablution of the dead and un sterile circumcision both religious leaders and communities

· Building agreement as well as commitment in supporting peace to combat HIV/AIDS problem

· Building awareness within religious communities through the same program In dealing with HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, such as Islamic Boarding Schools and Christian schools

Important Lesson

Therefore, AMAN Indonesia through some programs concern with gender, HIV/AIDS and peace building which involve religious communities such as Islamic Boarding schools, madrasah teacher, Majlis Taklis “Women Gathering” to enhance the capacity of Religious communities, to implement local level program and mobilize support needed for sustainable activities in HIV/AIDS and Peace Building, involved both women and youth groups to attempt building interfaith dialogue in tackling HIV/AIDS problems

Through interfaith dialogue for HIV prevention gives significant contribute on how building theological implications of combating the spread of AIDS, increasing public awareness, and empowering both direct and indirect victims of HIV/AIDS.