Islamic Relief SA (IRSA) will be collaborating with a number of groups including the Marifa Institute, and Muslim Aids Programme, in the hosting of a three day course focused on the scourge of sexually transmitted diseases amongst the youth. The course, titled ‘Protecting our Youth from the Consequences of Immorality’, will be conducted by renowned expert, Prof. Abdul Hameed al-Qudah.

Although open to all members of the community, the programme will specifically seek to target religious leaders, educators, health professionals, social and developmental workers, and all those in leadership roles amongst the youth. It will aim to train these individuals on how best to keep the youth from contracting sexually transmitted infections.

According to Prof. al-Qudah, The course would specifically deal with the issue from an Islamic perspective.

“We know that the origin of such diseases are committing prohibited sexual activities, and from drug addiction. All of these are prohibited in our religion, and all other religions,” he told VOC’s Breakfast Beat.

The course would also involve the quoting of various hadith and Quranic ayat on the matter, as well as displaying statistics that showed the detrimental effects of such diseases.

With the course certified by the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (Fima), al-Qudah said the overall aim would be to provide participants with the necessary skills, which would allow them to educate the youth on the matter within their own capacity.

Furthermore, those who complete the course will be required to conduct 10 lectures of their own each year, under the banner of Fima.

With Fima having a strong foothold globally, al-Qudah noted their goal in the long term would be to train and certify more than 100 000 people around the world.

“By the end once we have tried 100 000 people, and if everybody makes their 10 lectures a year, that means we will have had 1 million lectures around the world each year. This will helping raising the awareness against these diseases,” he said.

The course will be free of charge, and will take place between 09:30am and 12:30pm at the Islamia Auditorium.

For more information you may contact Farahneez Hassiem at 072 183 3346. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)