HARPAS in a special segment on al Jazeera: Stigma and discrimination against People living with HIV are the main causes of the spread of AIDS in the Arab States.

"We have to combat stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, and we have to defend their rights. We only want them treated like any body else, they are Arab citizens like all of us, and they have the same rights". Those were the words of Dr. Khadija Moalla; the Regional Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Programme in the Arab Region, responding to a question concerning the way ignorance about PLWH rights in our Arab societies can be confronted.

Al Jazeera's "Sharia and life" TV program aired every Sunday, hosted Dr. Khadija on the 20th of January 2008, to get her take on the subject of the this episode entitled "Disgust against PLWH".She elaborated about the efforts that has been done to stop Discrimination against PLWH in the Arab Region.

The rights of PLWH were more explained by Dr. Khadija who said:"They are the universal laws given to every one and all citizens, like the right to live, the right of treatment, the right to work, and the right to education. All of that is so important for PLWH to protect themselves from all kinds of harm"

Dr. Haitham El Khayyat, Senior advisor of the regional world health organization Programme, and member of the world union of Muslim scholars was the program's guest. He stressed that AIDS patient should be looked at the same way any other patient is looked at and that we have to stand by him, according to the Islamic commandments.

He also added that "If we let the person living with AIDS down, then we betrayed him, and surrendered him the diseases. An Islamic principle states that (All Muslims are brethren, no Muslim brother shall betray, wrong, nor let down his brother"

In Dr. Al Khayyat's comment regarding the perception of the PLWH in the society and that people see them worthy of banishment as a punishment of GOD, as many believe that AIDS is a result of unlawful sexual relationships, he said:" It's incorrect to say that Islam endorses social banishment of the patient as a way of punishment. Sins are punishable by GOD only, and no one is allowed to intervene. Civil punishment can be only executed by the government, and citizens should not do that on behalf of the society".

He also added that "Stigmatization of PLWH is considered an act of defamation, punishable by Islamic law, as long as there is no proof of such accusation"

In a phone interview, Dr. Ehab El Kharrat; HARPAS Senior Advisor stated that "The feeling of disgust against PLWH is unjustifiable. People tend to stigmatize them, which I believe its one of the main causes led to the spread of the disease". He also added that "5 to 10% of PLWH don't know they are infected, and this means that 90% of them in the Arab Region are not aware of their status, which caused by not voluntarily performing necessary testing, although those tests are now available, confidential , and free in all Arab States".

Dr. Ehab added that "AIDS patient's exaggerated fear makes him/her reluctant to do the necessary testing, which leads to the invisible spread of the disease. This also explains that 80% of women living with HIV in the Arab Region who were infected through their husbands who also don't know they are infected as well".

Dr. Ehab also added that" People of risk groups, and most vulnerable to HIV are reluctant of performing the testing because of stigma and discrimination"

Dr. Ehab further answered the question of "how to confront stigma" by saying " I believe that combating stigma requires that we confront our wrong perceptions about AIDS, this includes doctors who don't want to deal with PLWH although they know very well, that AIDS can't be transmitted through touching, hand shaking, kissing.etc"

He also added that " Stigma resides in one's inner self, and this requires a great deal of courage to confront that and overcome illusions about AIDS. It's also very crucial to protect our selves, our societies, and the future of our generations".

The episode also stressed that both husband and wife have a duty towards each other in case one of them is living with HIV. It's an act of nobility that each one of them will stand with one another, taking all necessary precautions to avoid the transmission of the virus. The episode also talked about PLWH's duty towards him/her self and the entire society. It urged that he/she should do the testing once felt that he/she might be infected.

At the end of program, Dr. Haitham El Kharrat emphasized that donations for PLWH, and giving charity and Zakat for them is an act of piety, and it goes along with the correct teachings of Islam.

Watch the entire episode at al Jazeera's website