Somali Muslim group bans condoms

[phatmonky]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3340611.stm

The umbrella Somali Ulema Council has said it will use Sharia (Islamic) Law, including flogging, to punish those selling or using condoms.  

The council is responding to a United Nations-funded campaign to raise awareness about Aids being aired by a local radio station.  

Somalia has been torn apart by fighting between rival militias since 1991.  

Unaware  

Sheikh Nur Barud, the chairman of the Ulema Council, told a public meeting that the use of condoms will increase adultery and those promoting its use deserve punishment.  

The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says residents are divided over the declaration by the religious leaders.  

Some are in favour of the use of condoms as a protective measure against HIV/Aids while others are not.  

Condoms are freely available in medical institutions in Mogadishu.  

Due to the fighting, there has been little research into the prevalence of Aids in Somalia but the UN Aids agency says some 70% of young Somali girls have not heard about the disease.  

Aid agencies working in Somalia fear that Aids is on the increase as a result of cross-border movements between Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia.  

I don't even know what to make of this - what are your opinions?

[Dan]

Bismillah

I guess the Shariah law that is being refered to is the one for fornicating. I guess that they decided the only reason for using a condom would be in an illegal sexual relationship so they made this jump.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of mine. We were talking about how horrible a disease AIDS is. I brought up that a cure for AIDS was discovered. "Really?" was the reply.

"Yeah," I said, "Abstinence."

If people would not have several partners, wait until marriage, or just not do it, this epidemic would not be where it is today. My heart goes out to those who suffer because of blood transfusions or because they waited and only had one partner but that partner turned out to be a carrier. These cases though are the exceptions and not the major reason for the transmission of AIDS. People act like there is no way that one can control oneself. It makes me sad to think that our base desires are what control many people.

I do not know what to think of the law. But... If you really want to stay healthy and flog-free in Somalia though, I guess the choice is clear.

[Shereen]

This is such a horrible disease..........May Allah prevent everyone from it ...Ameen...........BUt as mentioned 'abstinence' is the best way....but the methods like blood transfusion contamination & use of syringe.............this is y we shuld ALWAYS pray from Allah to prevent us from the evil & the illness of evey kind....Ameen