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"Doc: AIDS preventive
measures not haram"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(15/07/05)
NEW YORK: A Malaysian HIV/AIDS doctor has
rebutted claims that Islamic law is fundamentally incompatible with harm
reduction efforts such as needle exchange.
Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, head of the infectious disease unit at the
University of Malaya Medical Centre, said drugs and alcohol were haram
(forbidden) for all Muslims as Islam forbids any action that would result in
harm or destruction.
“However, beyond the simple haram and halal of substances such as drugs and
alcohol lie the fundamental objectives of Islamic divine laws, which are the
protection and preservation of the faith, life, intellect, progeny and
wealth.
Dr Adeeba refuted claims that because drugs were intoxicants they were
forbidden under Islam, and Islamic law was therefore fundamentally
incompatible with harm reduction efforts such as syringe exchange.
The claims were made by Malaysian healthcare figures during a February
hearing on harm reduction conducted by the US House Sub-committee on
Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources
Dr Adeeba's detailed and eloquent rebuttal of the claims were published in
the latest issue of Therapeutics Research Education AIDS Training (TREAT)
Asia Report, a quarterly publication by amfAR, the American Foundation for
AIDS Research in New York.
“The principle of injury in Islam (darar) asserts that no one should hurt or
cause hurt to others (la darara wa la dirar). Drug addiction and HIV/AIDS
hurt patients and their families in their life and health. The law requires
that any injury should be mitigated to the extent possible,” Dr Adeeba said.
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