The evolution of the International HIV Fund

In November 2007, over 150 people from more than 50 countries participated in consultations on Islam and HIV and AIDS in South Africa. More than 100 additional participants attended as day visitors. Almost all the participants were:

• People living with HIV
• Islamic scholars and academics, from a variety of countries and backgrounds
• Muslim and non-Muslim practitioners and medical doctors who have been fighting the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS

Over the course of the consultations participants discussed a wide range of issues related to HIV and AIDS and how these issues come to affect communities. The 2007 meetings were rich and varied and provided the basis for the development of the International HIV Fund. The overall aim of the IHF is to work towards the following goals:

• Enhance the Muslim contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
• Promote shared learning and best practice.
• Eradicate HIV by increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS amongst individuals and communities.
• Push HIV and AIDS higher up the agenda of governments and other key stake-holders.

How we will do this

• Serve to facilitate communication among stakeholders
• Allow for organisations to realise their HIV programme plans
• Support technical training for organisations