The New Nation - Internet Edition

'Masjid Council for Community Advancement' and 'Council for Interfaith Harmony, Bangladesh' jointly organized an interfaith dialogue on 'Role of Faith Leaders in Preventing HIV and AIDS' on 22 September 2008 at the conference room of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Building, Rajshahi, with support from Family Health International (FHI) Bangladesh.

Eminent faith leaders, government and non-government officials and social workers took part in the program. The program was inaugurated by the chief guest Mr. Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi.

In his speech Mr. Bhuiyan exceedingly praised the joint effort of the faith leaders and called for playing effective role in preventing HIV and AIDS.

He thanked the dialogue organizers and opined that only strict adherence to the religious prescription is the key to HIV prevention. He urged each religious leader to make the general mass aware of HI V by preaching his/her own religion's spirit and essence.

Renowned Islamic scholar and Masjid Council chairman Moulana Abul Kalam Azad delivered welcome speech and chaired the program, while FHI country director Ms. Misti McDowell and Mr. Shefaul Karim, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi district were present as special guests in the occasion. The special guests, in their speech, highly appreciated the meeting of top leaders of the four major religions of the country on HIV prevention issue.

Mr. A F M Iqbal, Technical Officer SBC, FHI presented a paper highlighting the HIV scenario from global and Bangladesh perspectives, risk factors for Bangladesh, and potential role of faith leaders in HIV prevention.

The program was addressed among others by Prof. Dr. Sukomol Barua, CIHBD presidium member, Yen. Buddhanondo Mohathero, CIHBD National committee member; Advocate Ankur Sen, Convener, CIHBD Rajshahi division; and Rev Provudhan Hira, reputed Christian leader, Rajshahi.

Dr. A S M Habibullah Choudhury, Program Coordinator and SMC focal person for Bangladesh AIDS Program (BAP); Mr. Shah Abdul Baten, Assistant Secretary General of CIHBD; Mr. Kazi Obaidul Haque, Masjid Council Project Manager for BAP; Prof. Leena Rozario; Baidya Nath Toppyo; Moulana Motahar Hossain and a good number of participants took part in the discussion and made valuable contributions to make the dialogue a success. The program was moderated by Mr. Sorowar Chowdhury, Technical Advisor, Masjid Council.