Interfaith Leaders workshop in Bangladesh

On 12 October 2005, in the midst of Ramadan and Durga Puja - two holy occasions for Muslims and Hindus respectively - religious leaders of different faith groups assembled together on one platform to share common concerns on HIV and AIDS issues. Eminent religious personalities from four major faiths (Muslim, Hindu, Christians and Buddhist), numbering around 55, were engaged in a constructive day-long dialogue to identify ways of strengthening and supporting their roles and responsibilities for enhanced response to the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS. The gathering also promoted the need for concerted efforts among the religious leaders of different faith communities in responding to the epidemic.

Organized within the framework of the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum (APLF) this gathering of interfaith leaders was an important initiative to complement existing national efforts to enhance leadership support for effective action to address the epidemic.