"One of the main reasons it's so hard is my religion."


I was diagnosed back in 2004...Never in a million years did I think I would be one of the statistics. It was hard, still is even after five years. I still haven't disclosed to my parents (they would be devastated if they ever found out). Just a handful of my family know, and by that I mean my siblings. One of the main reasons why it is so hard is my religion. I am a Muslim, and was taught to uphold my religion strongly.

The stigma that surrounds this illness is astonishing and that is also one of the reasons why it is so hard for most people to come out and disclose their status. It is really sad because HIV and AIDS is affecting and infecting Muslim men and women around the globe, but no one seems to do anything about it. Hopefully, I want to be the voice of my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, and someday I pray to get the courage to come out and disclose my status and share my story. Every HIV infected person out there has a story to tell.

Anon

NAT Topic