AIDS campaigners in Pakistan fear their struggle to educate fellow country people about the deadly disease faces new difficulties from radical clerics, now that the country moving towards "Islamisation". Even now, it is difficult to spread awareness about AIDS and the situation may worsen as mullahs (clergy) get more influential, said Tahira Khan, one of the campaigners. An Islamic leader recently made a statement saying that "use of condoms was against Islam and AIDS is a western disease". Another campaigner said she was threatened by local clerics when she distributed illustrated literature on AIDS to people her neighbourhood
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.