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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Victor Oladokun, +1-757-338-8426, voladokun@msn.com
Samiya Bashir, +1-212-730-7381, sbashir@balmingilead.org
THE
BALM IN GILEAD ANNOUNCES A THEOLOGICAL CALL TO ACTION:RESPONDING TO AIDS IN AFRICA
 June
23, 2004, New York -- Every day the cries of the millions of men, women and children
living with HIV/AIDS grow louder. Throughout the African continent AIDS takes
the lives of an estimated 5,000 adults and 1,000 children daily. Millions more
are affected by their care and loss.
The Balm In Gilead, Inc.™ believes that Africa's Christian and Muslim
communities hold the key to change and that together they can-and will-play a
major role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"Together, churches and mosques, congregations and leaders, women and
men, must approach our work-the fight against HIV/AIDS-in the spirit of humility
and compassion," says Pernessa Seele, Founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead.
To that end, The Balm In Gilead, a leading non-governmental organization dedicated
exclusively to mobilizing African American churches in the U.S. and churches and
mosques throughout the five African countries of Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria,
Tanzania and Zimbabwe announces the release of A Theological Call To Action:
Responding to AIDS in Africa; A Statement by The International HIV/AIDS Faith
Advisory Board of The Balm In Gilead, Inc.™
A Theological Call to Action is a white paper crafted by members of
The International HIV/AIDS Faith Advisory Board of The Balm In Gilead to
strategically examine and present the theological principles common to both Christian
and Islamic texts and traditions which underlie the urgency of faith community
leadership in eradicating this deadly disease. "We agree," proclaim
the faith leaders, "that Africa's faith communities must be on the front
lines in the struggle against HIV/AIDS."
To get your copy of A Theological Call to Action- currently available in English,
French and Swahili - click here.
The African faith community has always been the resource that the community
turns to in a time of crisis. "The Balm In Gilead," the faith leaders
declare, "in collaboration with its African faith partners, is committed
to enhancing the capacity of the African faith community to respond effectively
to the horrendous challenges of HIV/AIDS." The International Advisory Board
brings together 24 eminent faith leaders from all five African countries the organization
serves, who represent both Muslims and Christians of all denominations, to speak
as one united voice on issues and policies regarding HIV/AIDS in Africa. They
agree that faith communities "must undertake prophetic advocacy for the treatment
of all who are in need."
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The Balm In Gilead, Inc.™ is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization
with an international mission to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the African
Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to provide services, HIV/AIDS
education and to build support networks for all people living with and affected
by HIV/AIDS. For over 15 years, The Balm In Gilead has established, and continues
to develop, educational and training programs specifically to meet the needs of
faith communities that strive to become centers for HIV/AIDS education, treatment
and care. While continuing to broaden its work within African American communities,
The Balm In Gilead is working in partnership with faith communities in Côte
d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe to effectively address the HIV/AIDS
crisis.
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