As the Muslim
faithful celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir all over the world, the Director
General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof John
Idoko, has said it is important to reflect on the significance of the
celebration and its lesson as it relates to HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment and care.
He said Qu’ran Chapter 37 highlights
how, in a singular act of obedience to a divine command, Prophet Ibrahim
(Abraham) took Ismail his son, which was begotten in his old age, to a
location and prepared him for ritual of immolation as a piety to God.
“As he blindfolded him and was ready to
slaughter, behold, a ministration came from the heavens. Allah conveyed
good tidings stopping the killing and revealed that a ram had been
approved by Him as a replacement for the sacrifice.
“God added that Ibrahim had passed the ultimate test of faith and would be amply rewarded.
“The National Agency for the Control of
AIDS (NACA), saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the
HIV/AIDS multi sectorial response in Nigeria, will like to key into this
festival, asking Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of sacrificing
one’s most precious thing in the way of God’s command.
“If Nigerians obey the command of God,
the HIV epidemic in Nigeria will become a thing of the past, as
pre-marital sex, extra-marital affairs and casual sex among young people
will not be happening as we learn and become educated regarding the
dangers of contracting HIV/AIDS and other relates sexually transmitted
infections (STI).”
prof Idoko said reflecting on the love
of almighty Allah, the level of HIV stigma is worrisome among those
infected and affected.
“The love Allah showed to Prophet
Ibrahim can be emulated by us. This will allow us show love and care to
those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
“If this is done, it will not only help
encourage more Nigerians to get tested and get treated but it will also
allow many more people to be open about their HIV status, thereby making
the disease less frightening and dreaded.
“As true servants of Allah, we are
expected to protect our neighbours as much as we protect ourselves.
Doing this as it relates to HIV/AIDS is to get tested for HIV virus, do
all that is necessary to remain negative if tested negative, commence
treatment therapy if tested positive, avoid mother-to-child transmission
of HIV virus by encouraging all pregnant mothers to attend antenatal
clinics and ensure they give birth in government-approved designated
hospitals or with trained birth attendants.” source - the nation
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