Prejudice and ignorance lie at the heart of so many of the great wrongs being perpetrated today. How heartening therefore to see that at this most important time of the year, anonymous benefactors have made it possible for seven men and two women, all of them infected with HIV, to perform Haj, accompanied by a doctor and a nurse to take care of them.
These people have also been victims of prejudice and ignorance. One 78-year old Saudi patriarch with ten children has been rejected by his sons, because he has the HIV virus that will eventually lead to AIDS. This lack of understanding by his family has been compounded by a tragic failure of filial duty. It is bad enough that the old man now faces an uncertain and difficult future as the disease advances. To be rejected by an uncaring family is a tragedy.
Yet as this newspaper reported yesterday, the old gentleman is both excited by the opportunity he has been given to perform Haj and deeply moved by the kindness and generosity of strangers. The fact that he has expressed no bitterness whatsoever toward his ill-informed and uncaring family should add to the shame they ought to be feeling at their treatment of the head of their family.
The fact, however, that these unfortunate patients are performing Haj purely because of the love and kindness of strangers, is no doubt adding to their elation and happiness. Much credit must go to Jeddah’s King Saud Hospital and the medical center staff led by its director Dr. Sana Felimban, who initiated this great act of charity, after first organizing an Umrah trip for HIV patients earlier this year.
Thereafter, other donors added their financial and moral support to the scheme. One of them confessed that it was an honor to be able to help others perform their pilgrimage. He protested that the money he gave was God’s money and he was just a Muslim who had been given the chance to help other Muslims.
Among the 2.5 million pilgrims this year, there will be many suffering from illnesses and disabilities, who will readily be helped by fit and healthy fellow pilgrims. Unfortunately however, HIV and AIDS inspire irrational fears of contamination. The victims are, therefore, often repudiated. It must be hoped that this small but significant act by Dr. Felimban, Dr. Mohammed Sayed and their colleagues and financial supporters will help change attitudes and break down the ignorance which can add such a grievous extra burden to those already carrying the heavy knowledge that they are HIV positive.
Just as importantly, this noble and charitable act should remind all of us of our duty toward all those who are less fortunate than us. Not least should this lesson be learned by the relatives of the 78-year-old patriarch. It would be a fine thing if they, humbled by the generosity and understanding from people who had never met the old man, now put aside their own prejudices and welcome him back into the family.
