Indonesia's Islamic Schools Adopt HIV Curricula

"In Indonesia, HIV is perceived as more of a moral and social issue than a medical one, leading to stigmatization of people living with HIV and other most at-risk populations. Integrating HIV awareness and prevention strategies into Islamic schools will help reduce the spread of HIV and pave the way for a sensitive, progressive discussion of HIV issues at the community level."

This brief report describes efforts to reach young people through religious schools in East Java, Indonesia, to help prevent HIV and reduce stigma. As part of this initiative on the part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Health Policy Initiative (HPI), by the end of November 2009, 258 Islamic middle schools were expected to have integrated HIV curricula into 3 Grade 7 subjects: physical education, social studies, and Al-Islam. A draft HIV curriculum is being finalised and is expected to be taught in 535 high schools in East Java in 2010.

As detailed here, the curricula grew out of more than 2 years of technical assistance and advocacy. Since 2007, HPI has partnered with 2 prominent Islamic organisations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama. In the high-HIV-prevalence province of East Java, HPI strengthened the HIV advocacy capacity of a team of Islamic leaders, worked with them to sensitise religious leaders and communities, and assisted these organisations to integrate HIV into their programmes. In late 2008, HPI collaborated with teachers, health professionals, and experts on Islamic teachings to design HIV curricula for Islamic community- and religious-based schools associated with Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama. More than 750 teachers received training to use this curriculum, which is designed to educate young people about HIV prevention and encourage compassion toward those living with HIV.

Furthermore, "Islamic leaders in East Java have committed to conducting jihad (faith-based struggle) against the virus itself rather than those affected by HIV. This commitment goes beyond simply speaking out against HIV and stigma."