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Snapshot
USAID helps religious leaders convey positive messages on family planning
A Unique Family Planning Ambassador
Photo: Hawa Talla – IntraHealth
Imam Kane in Thiamène Santie
delivering messages on family
planning and Islam.
“Islam is not against family planning” says Imam Mouhamadou Kane, as he presents specific messages to the community to prove
his point.
With a voice full of confidence, Imam Mouhamadou Takhiyou
Kane shares his message with a captivated audience. Like a
Master of Ceremonies, he knowingly cites passages from the
Quran that provide evidence that “Islam is not against family
planning.”
Some critics, however, do not hesitate to use religion as the
main basis for their arguments against family planning (FP). It is
this continued negative view of FP which led USAID to seek
contributions and guidance from Islamic teachers and religious
leaders to develop and disseminate key messages and
arguments that are based on passages from the Quran.
Since his attendance at a national workshop on Islam and FP
sponsored by USAID, Imam Kane has been provided with an
interpretation of the verses pertaining to and in favor of FP.
The workshop was held in Thiès, just outside of Dakar, in 2008.
Equipped with alternative perspectives, understanding, and
evidence from the Quran, he works in Kaolack, a town in the
center of Senegal, to convince people that these services can
have a place in the lives of Muslims.
“Before, I was aware that Islam was not specifically against FP,
but I did not know if the arguments were solid and precise
enough for me to engage in a real public debate around the
topic,” Imam Kane says. However, he discovered the
appropriate religious justifications to resolve this issue for
himself.
Imam Kane considers that his mission is to act as a religious
guide to his students and congregation. “We, as Imams, have
the duty to spread the truth about Islam and not allow those
who have twisted Islamic teachings about FP to say that Islam
is against it,” he explains.
Imam Kane has held several workshops and meetings with
support from USAID to engage other Imams to join his mission.
He believes the power of a “single sermon” can make a
difference.
“Only Imams have the opportunity to speak to a large number
of men every Friday at the Mosque and during important
religious holidays,” says this true champion of family planning.
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