“WE ARE RESPONSIBLE” Campaign

Positive Muslims and Islamic Relief SA in its efforts to support the National HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign launched in April 2010, has launch its own campaign “We Are Responsible” campaign. The “We Are Responsible” campaign lends itself to the South African National AIDS Council’s (SANAC’s) endorsed theme for World AIDS Day (WAD) 2009: “I am responsible. We are responsible. South Africa is taking responsibility.”

It is well documented and clearly evident that South Africa is burdened with the twin epidemics of HIV & AIDS and Violence. Violence, especially violence against women is not unique to South Africa and it is for this reason, the international campaign of 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women was launched in 1991. Starting on November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, ending on December 10, International Human Rights Day with World AIDS Day being on the December 01; the 16 Days of Activism symbolically links violence against women and human rights with HIV & AIDS. The pervasive nature of violence in South Africa, its high levels as well as its extreme forms of violence including sexual violence; increases all our citizens’, especially women’s and children’s risk of contracting HIV.

A major goal of Government through its National Strategic Plan (NSP) is to reduce the incidence of HIV in South Africa by 50% by 2011. Against this backdrop, Positive Muslims and Islamic Relief have thus launched the “We Are Responsible” campaign which encourages communities to take responsibility for their own health by screening for HIV, blood glucose, blood pressure and TB and BMI (Body Mass Index).

To coincide with the 16 Days of Activism, Positive Muslims, an NGO that works with HIV infected and affected person and Islamic Relief SA’s Positive Living programme have partnered to launch the “We Are Responsible” campaign.
Positive Muslims and Islamic Relief, in collaboration with The Desmond Tutu TB Centre, through it’s “We Are Responsible” campaign will bring health screening check-ups to a mosque close to you. This free service will be offered initially at the following mosques:

Masjid-Ul-Quds, Clinic Street, Gatesville : 23rd November 09:00 – 15:00hrs
Masjid-Ul-Quds, Clinic Street,Gatesville : 26th November 09:00 – 15:00hrs
Masjied-Us-Sabr, Blackbird Ave. Parkwood : 03rd December 09:00 – 15:00hrs
Masjiedun Nur, Lapperts Street, Paarl : 10th December 09:00 – 15:00hrs

We encourage all communities to make use of this free health check-up screenings at these mosques to not only take responsibility of your own health but to also raise awareness of the importance of knowing your HIV status and reducing stigma and discrimination around HIV testing.

Positive Muslims can be contacted on 0217612249/81 or info@positivemuslims.org.za
Islamic Relief SA can be contacted on 0800111898 or info@islamic-relief.co.za