KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 ― Muslims must not stigmatise those with AIDS but instead care for them as they would those with other illnesses as this was in line with Islamic teachings, the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) said in its Friday sermon today.

The sermon said HIV-positive Muslims are often forced to seek help from support centres set up by non-Muslims as the perception that AIDS sufferers are supposedly immoral remains high among the Malays.

"There are still those in our community who view those with HIV/AIDS as disgusting and dirty. There are reports that their families have neglected them until they are forced to seek help at non-Muslim support centres.

"The bigger question here is this act of ostracising and viewing them as disgusting in line with Islamic teachings?" said Jakim.

The sermon said prejudices against those who are sick regardless of the disease they carry was wrong and that it was every Muslim's responsibility to provide care and support for them.

"Islam is a religion that brings bliss to its followers. Islam teaches us to respect one another and help each other," it added.

Jakim went on to advise Muslims to care for their own health and urge those diagnosed with any illnesses to repent and ask for Allah's forgiveness.

It also called on the Muslim community to change its perception towards HIV-positive Muslims so it may help them "walk the right path" again.

The world celebrated World AIDS Day on Monday.

According to official statistics, there are 103,000 AIDS patients in Malaysia as of June this year.

70 per cent of them are Malays.