Muslim Student Association of UGM Graduate School (HIMMPAS) held a book review entitled AIDS in Islam: Moral or Humanitarian Crisis?, presenting Ahmad Shams Madyan, Ph.D. The event was held on Saturday, (26/11) in UGM Graduate School.
In the book review and discussion, Ahmad Shams, said that the prevalence of HIV infection in the recent time has not only happened among key population that consists of female sex workers, homosexuals, transvestites and injecting-type drug users. Transmission of HIV in Indonesia also occurred among housewives with an increasing number that reached 40 thousands in November 2010.
"It is not merely about our response to an idea or discourse. The threat of AIDS is a reality that requires the practical response of religions," said doctoral candidate of the UGM Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies Program.
On that occasion Ahmad Syams also explained about the perspective difference of HIV and AIDS issues from two different episteme. He pointed out, a thinker named Badri promoting some Islamic rituals as an alternative strategy for the prevention of AIDS. In that case he fights for the idea of Knowledge Islamization and supports the theory of Samuel P. Huntington about Clash of Civilizations between Islam and the West.
While another thinker, Esack, chose the idea of dialogue and plurality. Islam is seen as a vehicle to fight. Besides the two thinkers, dichotomy between the Puritans and moderate Muslim also influences the dialectic on HIV/AIDS in this book. "The difference on root of reasoning affects the various fatwas (religious decree) and policies of each organization in the Islamic institutions," he explained.
In addition to review the “AIDS in Islam”, the event also presents dr.Ginus, Ph.D. Head of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, who gave an explanation about the medical aspects of HIV/AIDS.
Meanwhile, Asih Minanti Rahayu, S.S, committee chairman, conveyed that the activity initiated by the scientific study division was held in order to prepare a discourse for Muslim students about AIDS on the commemoration of World AIDS Day on upcoming December 1st.
"After understanding the existing dynamics of thought, the dialogue is expected to transpire the wisdom of Muslim students about HIV/AIDS, especially in Islamic students’ missionary institutes at UGM, to respond to this issue on 1 December," she explained.