The transfer of the fight against HIV / AIDS to the Islamic schools in East Java, Indonesia

Aug. 2006 that the azan prayer, rather than the school bell, the morning period to the end of the study at the School of Islamic Zain Hassan east Java.

The boys put their books aside, and put berets on their heads to pray, and flocking to the mosque, while girls are the clothes of their heads to get the blue period of rest in the courtyard, where Etjazbn chatting under the shadow of the minaret.

This scene seems normal for a school in Indonesia's Islamic boarding school, 000 5, which is known as the 'Bezantryn' pesantren, that there is a high concentration in East Java.

But this year does not appear on the subject at all in a normal classroom in a school Zain Hassan, is the subject was considered taboo by: HIV / AIDS.
Especially UNICEF

Open discussion

In addition to their studies and their discussion of the Koran, students begin to talk openly about sex, drug abuse and HIV. This is part of the Islamic Leadership Initiative, a regional effort to educate students in Islamic schools on how to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Have led the recent surge in the incidence of HIV / AIDS to make the East Java Province, the third largest stricken by the epidemic in Indonesia after it was ranked sixth, in the course of one year only. This rise has raised concerns, community leaders, religious leaders, who are beginning to realize that education on HIV / AIDS is the study of life-saving.

Sheikh Mohammad al-Mutawakkil, the good God, who taught at the School of Zein Al-Hassan: "the causes of infection of HIV and prostitution sex without precaution, the practice is widespread and unchecked. And by the adverse effects of these negative attitudes can Tlamivna, as well as to identify the danger of religious, to also identify the deadly impact on their health. "

Peer educator sentenced camellias (left) chairs a discussion on HIV / AIDS in the study room at the School of Islamic Zain Hassan.

Enabling pupils and teachers

UNICEF has begun its implementation at the national level, working with the Indonesian Council of Religious Scholars, which is composed of senior Muslim clerics and deliberate on the Islamic Sharia in the country.

Rachel said Oodede, Chairperson of the Anti-AIDS UNICEF in Indonesia, "We have made clear the importance of preventing HIV / AIDS among young people. In view of the Islamic values of life that we have been able to find a strategy to ensure the possibility of transferring the fight against HIV / AIDS to school. "

That strategy involves the provision of special training on HIV / AIDS for 60 teachers from 20 Islamic school in East Java. In addition, students receive 60 of each school to work training 'Kmhagafi peer' to share their knowledge through discussions in the classroom and through conversations with their friends one by one.

Says one of them, which ruled camellias-old 16-year-old pupil at a school Zain Hassan, said that strong demand for information.

She said: "After that I returned to my home from training and my father also asked me about HIV / AIDS. I explained to them that the epidemic. In the building housing the school talking about the epidemic in Grvatna with my friends."

And to bring education on HIV / AIDS to use the schools of Islamic communities in East Java has a new wealth to combat the growing threat shows no mercy for young people, regardless of their religion.