Shunned from my own masjid.
People who I thought were my brothers turned their backs on me when they found out I was HIV+. It happened in Ramadan, The month of mercy and compassion. I was serving my fasting brothers food for Iftar. Brothers who abstained from food and drink and sought Allah’s mercy throughout the day. Who prayed at night, weeping tears and their bodies trembling.
Somehow a brother found out I was HIV+ and told others. They refused to take food from me. They were afraid that someway or somehow they would contract HIV simply because they touched the same plate I did. Can you imagine how heartbreaking this was for me? How it crushed my soul? I could no longer go to that masjid.
I should not have to feel this shame. I am Muslim, but before that I am human. I am your brother. When one of us hurts, all of us hurts. Don’t turn your back on me. Educate yourself and know that by being my friend, by hugging me, touching the same things I touch, laughing with me and praying with me you will not contract HIV. Muslims living with HIV are suffering. They are suffering because people in our community do not care. Our existence does not concern them. Are we not your brothers or sisters? Where is the compassion within your hearts? What would the prophet do?
Stop judging us. Love us! My question to you is: What if it was you?
Who We Are
R.A.H.M.A. (Reaching All HIV+ Muslims in America ) was founded in November 2012 in the Washington, DC area. The need was recognized as the founder worked in a city where HIV infections rates are the highest in the Nation. She also saw firsthand the stigmatization HIV+ Muslims face within their own community. Determined to make a difference, RAHMA was born.
The mission of RAHMA is to address HIV/AIDS primarily in the American Muslim community through education, advocacy and empowerment. There are many organizations mainstream that already address HIV/AIDS but RAHMA is unqiue because there is a special focus on Muslims. HIV/AIDS is a very taboo topic and only a small group of people talk about it in the Muslim communty. The reality is there are HIV+ Muslims and as of right now HIV is here to stay. RAHMA is dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating safe spaces for all who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
In the spirit of Islamic Valies, RAHMA will not turn anyone away regardless of religious beliefs. RAHMA has established partnerships with organizations that serve all and has led events for participants of all backgrounds.
Help Us Launch Our Next Two Projects!
1. Project Imam Advocate
Religious leaders can serve a positive role in efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs as well as provide support and appropriate referrals for affected Muslims. Unfortunately many Muslims do not receive any education about the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, or are given inaccurate information. This puts them at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Inshaa Allah Project Imam will launch this Spring. The purpose is to engage religious leaders in the Muslim community and work with them to better serve our brothers and sisters infected with HIV and other STIs. This education program seeks to engage religious leaders in education efforts through providing STI education and addressing stereotypes as well as reinforcing a religious understanding of STIs that is most conducive to prevention and supportive of the needs of those affected. Another major goal is to institutionalize mandatory HIV/STI screenings before marriage.
RAHMA trainers plan to hold 6 extensive trainings to provide Imams with adequate and accurate information to provide support and services for Muslims who are HIV+. Trainers will also teach Imams how to talk about this topic in their khutbahs and events. The goal is to train at least 12 Imams in the DC, MD and VA area.
2. Marriage Retreat for HIV+ Muslims
Being a Muslim AND living with HIV can be a barrier when it comes to marriage. Muslims from across the nation and even the world have reached out to RAHMA trying to find a spouse. After much discussion RAHMA has come up with a way that can help with this challenge. RAHMA hopes to host a retreat for Muslims living with HIV who seek marriage. This retreat will offer marriage counseling; spiritual growth and development, relaxation activities, education and the chance to have a chaperoned sit down with a potential spouse. Qualified professionals and Imams will be present at this retreat to inshallah enable its success and ensure it falls within Islamic guidelines.
Need Your Support!
We need your help to keep our programs going. Without your assistance RAHMA will not be able to continue the crucial projects our community most desperately needs.
The $10,000 we are raising funds for wil help us to:
Kickstart the following projects:
- Project Imam
- Marriage Retreat for HIV+ Muslims
Keep Running the following projects
- Educational Worshops
- Empower Youth Program
- Research
- Support Groups
If donating is out of your reach, we ask that you please share this campaign with at least 5 people and encourage them to donate. Use the social media sharing tools above!
Help our community become a more inclusive and merciful community by donating today.
What Else Does RAHMA Do?
1. Educational Workshops
RAHMA conducts HIV 101 workshops that cover HIV prevention, transmission, dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions, how to support HIV+ community members, treatment, disclosure and more. At these workshops, RAHMA partners with local organizations to provide free HIV testing to attendees.
2. E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Youth Peer Education Program
RAHMA recently launched the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. (Engaging Muslim Peers to do Outreach with Educational Resources) HIV/AIDS Youth Peer Educator program. The program’s mission is to educate 8 Muslim youth ages 16 - 24 on the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS & STIs, emphasize the importance of education, pregnancy prevention, and becoming effective advocates. Once trained, these educators will conduct workshops for their peers on HIV/AIDS which will also include free HIV testing. Ultimately this program hopes to decrease the incidence of HIV infection among young people and reduce stigma that is rampant in the Muslim community.
3. Research
RAHMA looks to conduct research on the attitudes of American Muslims towards HIV/AIDS, as well as the needs of Muslims living with HIV. This information will be gathered through online surveys, personal interviews and surveys completed at events and/or community settings.
4. Support Groups
In summer of 2014, RAHMA will launch a support group for Muslims living with HIV in the Washington, DC area. Here Muslims who are HIV+ can find comfort, solace and empowerment. The support group will serve some of the following purposes to:
- provide emotional support and coping mechanisms to group members.
- empower members with knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
- draw strength from other members’ experiences.
- share information about treatment, medical adherence, care and healing.
- cultivate a spiritually nourishing environment based on Islamic values.
- create networking opportunities for those involved in the support group.
Stay In Touch!
We thank you and appreciate your support!
