"Faith heals, don't you think so?" is the new tagline of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigners in West Bengal, with religious leaders joining the fight against the disease.

At a recent workshop here, leaders of different faiths and the West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (WBSAPCS) teamed up as part of a new action plan to tackle HIV.
 
"There was a greater representation from Muslim leaders at the workshop. We also found that HIV/AIDS is not a taboo subject for religious leaders of any faith," said WBSAPCS chief Suresh Kumar.

The latest WBSAPCS data shows 6,941 people are HIV-positive in West Bengal and depicts a steady rise in infection rate among women. The number of full-blown AIDS cases in the state is 2,397 as of April 2005.

"Above everything, religious leaders can give people hope. They can help people with HIV/AIDS live a more meaningful and dignified life and prepare them to meet death when the time comes," said Kumar.

"Religious leaders are a key to mitigating the AIDS epidemic because they are trusted and respected members of society and are influential in shaping social values and public opinion."

According to Kumar, religious leaders can be especially instrumental in eradicating the stigma and discrimination faced by people with HIV/AIDS.

Religious leaders have the "tools, institutional outreach and authority to transform individuals and societies", said Kumar.

Hindus are the dominant group in West Bengal, comprising 74.72 percent of the population followed by Muslims (23.61 percent), Christians (0.56 percent), Sikhs (0.08 percent), Buddhists (0.3 percent), Jains (0.05 percent) and other religions (0.68 percent).