PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos Sponsors Workshop for 29 Imams on HIV/AIDS

Date: November 27 - 29, 2007
Venue: Lagos

(l-r) PDO Mary Lou Johnson-Pizarro, MAIDS Coordinator, Dr. Ishaq Akintola and one of the participating Imams at the press conference. | Full size

The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos sponsored a three-day workshop for 29 Imams from Lagos State on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.  The event was organized by the NGO, Muslims Against AIDS (MAIDS) from November 27 to 29.  The workshop, specifically timed to focus attention on World AIDS Day prepared participants to educate members of their communities.  Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, a medical epidemiologist with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) addressed technical aspects the HIV and AIDS pandemic.  MAIDS, in turn, identified Islamic scholars and other medical practitioners to address the implications of the pandemic in the context of Islamic practice.  The Lagos Public Diplomacy Officer, Mary Lou Johnson-Pizarro, gave opening remarks and participated in a joint press conference with the MAIDS Director.  She highlighted the U.S. commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention around the world, and Nigeria, in particular.  She also distributed materials on HIV/AIDS as well as the IIP publication “Muslim Life in America.”

The workshop provided HIV/AIDS education for 29 Imams, religious leaders from some of the most prominent mosques in Lagos State, and prepared them to provide basic information on prevention and living positively with HIV/AIDS to their followers.  Two views expressed by some of the participants at the press conference highlighted the gains of the workshop.  Chief Imam of Badagry, Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa Ola Shehu, said the workshop equipped him with vital information to share with his followers and brought him in contact with other Imams with whom he could network.  For Shaykh Muslihudeen Kalejaye, the Chief Imam from Ikorodu Mosque, the workshop achieved three purposes; it enlightened him on HIV/AIDS issues, created an avenue to interact with Americans, and helped him to understand American views on Islam.  The Imam said he did not know that America had a large Muslim community until he read the “Muslim Life in America” publication.  Many of the participants requested similar programs on HIV/AIDS be organized among other Muslim leaders.