Positive Muslims
CONTACT PERSON: Raoul Swart
PHYSICAL AND ADDRESS:
15 Mars Road
Wynberg
Cape Town
South Africa, 7800
TELEPHONE: +27 (0)217612249/ 81
FAX: +27 217612284
E-MAIL:raoul@positivemuslims.org.zaWEB-SITE:Positive Muslims websitePositive Muslims is a South African group founded in June 2000. We are committed to raising awareness about Aids and offering support to Muslims living with HIV & AIDS.
Our Philosophy We are committed to developing a theology of compassion; a way of reading the Qur’an and understanding the Sunnah (the path of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) that focuses on Allah who cares deeply about all creation. This is Allah who, according to Hadith (prophetic tradition), said at the time of creation, “Indeed, my mercy overcomes my anger.” Such compassion, we believe, must be accompanied by a critique of, and challenge to, a society that forces people to the margins.
Our Method We conduct our affairs in a spirit of accountability (muhasabah), transparency, and collective decision-making (shura). We ensure our gatherings are safe spaces for all our members to be spiritually inspired and to feel personally supported. We at all times uphold the integrity of those who come to us for support and maintain the absolute confidentiality of the support/counselling process through clearly laid down guidelines.
Our Aims To create and deepen awareness among Muslims about the prevalence of HIV & AIDS in all communities including ours. To educate our community about what HIV & AIDS is, the ways in which it is contracted, ways of avoiding it and the fact that no one is ‘above’ acquiring it. To find and implement ways of supporting Muslims living with HIV & AIDS in personally meaningful ways. This involves counselling, helping accessing affordable treatment, providing a ‘buddy’, (a one-on-one friend who will be around on an ongoing basis) and offering spiritual support. To lobby all the relevant structures both in government and in civil society, particularly our own religious leadership for greater support for people living with HIV & AIDS and a deeper awareness of the need for openness and non-judgmental support.
While our own work is primarily among Muslims, we are committed to working with all the other progressive groups working on HIV/AIDS.
Our Philosophy We are committed to developing a theology of compassion; a way of reading the Qur’an and understanding the Sunnah (the path of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) that focuses on Allah who cares deeply about all creation. This is Allah who, according to Hadith (prophetic tradition), said at the time of creation, “Indeed, my mercy overcomes my anger.” Such compassion, we believe, must be accompanied by a critique of, and challenge to, a society that forces people to the margins.
Our Method We conduct our affairs in a spirit of accountability (muhasabah), transparency, and collective decision-making (shura). We ensure our gatherings are safe spaces for all our members to be spiritually inspired and to feel personally supported. We at all times uphold the integrity of those who come to us for support and maintain the absolute confidentiality of the support/counselling process through clearly laid down guidelines.
Our Aims To create and deepen awareness among Muslims about the prevalence of HIV & AIDS in all communities including ours. To educate our community about what HIV & AIDS is, the ways in which it is contracted, ways of avoiding it and the fact that no one is ‘above’ acquiring it. To find and implement ways of supporting Muslims living with HIV & AIDS in personally meaningful ways. This involves counselling, helping accessing affordable treatment, providing a ‘buddy’, (a one-on-one friend who will be around on an ongoing basis) and offering spiritual support. To lobby all the relevant structures both in government and in civil society, particularly our own religious leadership for greater support for people living with HIV & AIDS and a deeper awareness of the need for openness and non-judgmental support.
While our own work is primarily among Muslims, we are committed to working with all the other progressive groups working on HIV/AIDS.