Islam and AIDS ─ Between Scorn, Pity, and Justice

The spread of AIDS in Muslim countries is a topic that is generally avoided. The richest countries of the Arabian Peninsula even refuse to give any statistics on the disease. This collection is, therefore, a call to awaken both Muslims and others to the social controversies surrounding the disease. Esack, a founding member of the South African group, Positive Muslims and Chiddy, an HIV/Aids spiritual counselor, allow for diversity in the articles. This includes a fundamentalist argument that AIDS is caused by sin and only a return to the pure faith will stop its spread. This is indistinguishable from fundamentalist Christian statements. Several authors give their own interpretations of Muslim teachings that emphasize charity and justice. Others address the latter by placing AIDS within a social, rather than religious context, arguing that abject poverty leads to conditions that facilitate contamination from the AIDS virus along with many other diseases. This very readable book demonstrates the wide range of attitudes within the Muslim world and how a deep faith in Islam can lead one to a "liberation theology" in which respect for those with AIDS is mandated by the Prophet. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)