CIRCUMCISION DECREASES HIV INFECTION – UniMAP DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR

Kangar, 30 November – Circumcision will decrease the rate of infection of HIV by as much as 60 percent said University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Madya Dr Mohd Fo’ad Sakdan.

“Scientific studies has proven that circumcised men lowers the chances of infection of the HIV virus to their wives or other women.

“It even reduces the infection of syphilis, chancroid and genital herpes as well as maintains personal hygiene which is a requirement in Islam,” he said while representing the UniMAP Vice Chancellor during the officiation of the UniMAP Majlis Khatan Perdana 2015 ceremony on 27 November at the university's Main Campus.

He added that the cleanliness required by Islam covers all physical and spiritual aspects not merely limited to the self-cleanliness, but also the cleanliness of home, workplace and other such matters.

This inaugural programme was co-organised by the UniMAP Islamic Centre and the Health Centre and was participated by seven children of UniMAP employees.

Dr. Fo'ad called for circumcision to be performed in order to maintain children's health and encouraged the activity to be an annual UniMAP event.

“Although the number of participants did not achieve its target this did not mean the programme failed, and I am positive that many more will join the programme next year,” he said.

Also present were Ustaz Hassan Arshad, Director of the Islamic Centre and Prof. Madya Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Omar, Director of the Health Centre.