iv id="adwrapper">Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, Perlis Mufti
Islam's stance on condom use outside of marriage, even for the reason of prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, is non-negotiable, says the Perlis Mufti.
It is permitted within marriage for spacing of children and as a means to protect a spouse from being infected with sexually transmitted diseases by the other half, but condoms can never be misused for immoral sexual activities, says Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.
The doors of religion must remain closed on the subject of condom use in the context of unmarried couples.
"We don't want to open the doors, because that's an encouragement for people to do it (have sex outside of marriage).
"That is why all religions do not delve on this topic. All religions preach abstinence.
"If you want to have sex, get married first."
Muhamad Kasim Mohd Osman Religious teacher in PT Foundation elected by the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi)
Use a condom if you or your spouse is infected with a sexually transmitted infection to prevent it from spreading in the family institution itself, says religious teacher Muhamad Kasim Mohd Othman.
"A husband who's infected, by all means, should protect his wife. Don't put her and the unborn's lives on the line."
The Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department-elected teacher is well aware of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases in the capital.
He provides religious guidance for transsexuals, one of the high-risked communities PT Foundation works with on HIV prevention, support and care programmes.
Condom can also be used for family planning, but it should not be permanent feature, he says.
"In Islam, the function of a family is clearly spelled out. Procreation is very important."
For unmarried people, abstinence works best in the prevention against HIV/AIDS.
Religion equips one with the self-discipline and inner strength needed to resist temptations like sexual desires, says Muhamad Kasim.
Even if one has not the adequate religious upbringing, high moral and discipline will help in such challenging situations.
Asked to comment on Tehran's initiative in installing condom vending machines as part of their harm reduction programme to bring down the number of HIV/AIDS cases amongst the drug users, Muhamad Kasim says this will not necessarily work out if applied in Malaysia.
"Other countries might be able to view this matter in a more open manner, but Malaysia is still very entrenched in our cultures, moral and religions. In our multi-racial setting, we hold strong to our culture."
The way forward is for the relevant parties to reach a common ground, he says.
The religious sector, medical professionals, and the society must discuss on issues on condom use because it's a sensitive matter which concerns the whole community.
"People get confused and conflicts arise when there's no synchronisation. Religions say no, society frowns upon it, but for medical reasons, you have to use it. We need answers."
Datuk A. Vaithilingam President of Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism; Malaysia Hindu Sangam President; and Vice President of Malaysian AIDS Council
When former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced a two-children-per-family campaign to control the high birth rate in India many years ago, condom was one of the widely used contraceptives.
Hinduism has never opposed to the use of condom as a family planning method, and definitely not in the case of prevention against diseases.
The main fear, however, is that it can be misused, says Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Datuk A. Vaithilingam.
"The urge to have free sex is always there. The urge to do anything is always there. But there must be some discipline within ourselves.
"We believe that sex should only be practised with the person you are entitled to, that is your husband or wife."
The President of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism also says the practice of pre- or extra-marital sex is a reality.
However, religions do not promote condom use to unmarried couples because it's a sign of condoning sex outside of marriage.
This is why, he says, condom-dispensing machines are not proper channels of distribution.
"It's very controversial. If you have these in colleges, it'll be an open ticket to free sex. Instead of discouraging, it might be an encouraging factor."
Should condoms be distributed, it should be done by relevant bodies dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention like the AIDS Council, says Datuk Vaithilingam.
"Religious authorities normally leave it to the medical practitioners to make decisions on condom use, but whatever the doctor prescribes, it doesn't mean you go on having free sex."
Pastor Pax Tan Senior director of the Malaysian Christian Association for Relief
Malaysians are generally religious people, and religion has much to do with morality and working within boundaries and rules to keep the social fabric intact.
However, in the face of increasing adversities posed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic to the nation, religious authorities may have to reconsider their measures in addressing this issue, says Pastor Pax Tan.
"In this age, when sex has been proven as something increasingly done outside of marriage and among the youths, and we don't seem to be able to stop that, then we have to think how to prevent diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
"These are issues that even the religious people have to face."
Tan, who has been working on the ground dealing with prisoners, drug users, the disabled, orang asli and the HIV-positive for the last 24 years, says immoral sexual activities can best be prevented by correct teaching and moral practice.
Religion acts as a deterrent for the religious.
"But what if people still engage in sex outside of marriage? Given the prevailing moods of the day and the sense of freedom that people have to express themselves, it's very, very difficult for some to refrain from that.
"Then the next thing to do, of course, is to prevent disease and pregnancies that are not planned for."
Does that put condom as a resort, albeit the last one?
"Yes, if the person persists to do what he wants to do."
If there's persistence in having sex outside of the marriage, says Tan, there should be harm reduction, especially in the light of HIV/AIDS and STDs.
"Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. HIV/AIDS has now painted a brand new landscape and we have to respond in a special way. Prevention of this virus is definitely high priority."
HIV/AIDS, says Tan, is more of a gender and economic issue.
A lot of women are not in the position to deny their spouse or protect themselves, which is why at one point in time, World Health Organisation statistics showed that up to 90 per cent of women, who have the virus, got it from the husbands.
This is especially true in very poor countries, where women have no say, says Tan.
"In Malaysia, many still can't say no to sex if their husbands insist. A condom can prevent the wife from being infected. But the question is whether the husband will actually want to use a condom."
In his outreach and support programmes, Tan has encountered numerous widows and children who have been infected with HIV.
Religion plays a double-pronged role - prevention and help - in combating this issue, says Tan.
Acting as a deterrent, religion helps people to refrain from indulging in acts that will endanger themselves and others.
But religion is also about compassion.
"When someone is infected, it's our role to help that someone. We can say that what the person has done is wrong, but we cannot condemn. Religion must help to redeem."
But for that to happen, Tan says one must be armed with facts and education.
"Being religious is good, but if one doesn't know about the virus and how it's spread, he won't be able to respond in a compassionate way.
"Condemning, ostracising, discriminating and not caring for them, doesn't improve the situation any bit."
HIV/AIDS is not a punishment from God, says Tan.
"Say, a poor lady gets the virus because she cannot protect herself. A rich woman sleeps around but because she knows about AIDS and how to protect herself, she doesn't get HIV.
"Does that mean God didn't punish her but God punished a woman who slogs in the kitchen every day and does all the housework, and who had sex with the husband who got infected outside?"
This story was first published in New Straits Times on May 3, 2008.
