Remarks

Speech by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Judith A. Chammas at Imam Training Program

Dhaka

August 31, 2005

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Chairman of the Masjid Council for Community Advancement, as-salaamu alaikum, namaskar and good afternoon.

Thank you for welcoming me to this training session. I am honored to be a part of such a significant event.

Most of you probably know that the United States of America works hard to maintain a constant separation of government from religious institutions. Freedom of religion and the equality of all religious beliefs are central to the American way of life. Perhaps you don’t know that despite our separation of church from state, or perhaps because of it, approximately 90% of Americans consider themselves religious and every major religious denomination is represented in the U.S.

Religious organizations play an enormous role in promoting social welfare in the United States, as they do in Bangladesh. Many of our charitable organizations, schools and universities, hospitals, and other social institutions are religiously affiliated. Americans contribute money and time to these organizations voluntarily, and rely on them to support them and their fellow community members in their times of need. Recently, President Bush has instituted a new “faith-based initiative.” Through this initiative, our government can cooperate with religiously affiliated organizations in ways that it never has before.

In Bangladesh, I am pleased to see the positive role that religious organizations, both domestic and international, contribute to the welfare of the average person. Organizations like yours that help religious leaders disseminate valuable information within the community play a vital role in Bangladesh.

My colleagues at the Embassy and I value the cooperative relationship we have with religious leaders in Dhaka and worldwide. In recent years, our Embassy has strengthened its existing relationships with the religious community in Bangladesh. We have initiated several projects aimed at providing education and information to religious leaders nationwide. Programs in English language, computer literacy, and anti-trafficking awareness are some of our most successful outreach programs in Bangladesh. Today’s program, addressing the prevention of HIV/AIDS, is particularly important because of the urgency of the issue it addresses.

Preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS is a challenge throughout the world. The rate of AIDS in Bangladesh is relatively low – despite underreporting from official sources, UNAIDS estimates there to be only about 13,000 cases of HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, Bangladesh has all of the risk factors for an AIDS epidemic. The commercial sex industry, the low usage rate of condoms, the prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases, like syphilis, and the high rates of intravenous drug use are all dangerous indicators about the future of AIDS in Bangladesh. However, the most alarming factor is the lack of public awareness about AIDS, especially among those at the highest risk. Increasing awareness: helping people to learn what AIDS is, how it is spread, how it can be prevented, is the only way to prevent an AIDS outbreak similar to the one currently devastating other countries.

In Bangladesh, USAID works with local partners to help prevent the spread of AIDS through a variety of outreach programs. Our condom distribution projects make condoms available to every sector of the society. Clinics and education programs for those engaged in high-risk behavior promote safety and prevention methods among those who are either already infected or who are at the highest risk of infection. To reach wider audiences, USAID produces materials for educational institutions, the media and even comic books for children.

Organizations all over Bangladesh that are participating in the fight against AIDS are working tirelessly in their efforts to educate and empower the Bangladeshi population.

HIV/AIDS is a threat to Bangladesh. It could be a humanitarian disaster here, but it does not have to be. Organizations, both international and domestic, can work together to prevent the spread of this horrible illness and to help those who have already contracted it lead safe, productive lives within society. Seeing programs like this makes me optimistic that Bangladesh can evade the threat of an AIDS epidemic.

So congratulations for addressing this crucial issue in today’s program. As community leaders you play a vital role in spreading awareness and information.  I am sure that you will find today’s program useful and that you will share what you learn in your communities.

Thank you.

 

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from the American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call the American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov