WE'RE READING: Islam and AIDS

As we reflect on today, World AIDS Day, we wanted to take a moment to highlight an important new book we discovered during our recent trip to North Africa:

ISLAM and AIDS: Between Scorn, Pity and Justice

The new book is the first of its kind to address AIDS/HIV through the lens of the Islamic world and chart the effects the disease has had throughout this vast culture.

The book is more a compendium of essays, reportage and observations from leading activists and scholars specializing in both Islam and HIV/AIDS.  The book is a critical — yet sensitive — look at issues surrounding HIV and Islam, ranging from poverty and gender to law, ethics, addiction and sexuality. 

And there is a smart introduction from Peter Piot, the director of the Joing United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

Many of these topics remain taboo in the Islamic world and the book does a nice job of bringing them to the forefront with insight and compassion.