Brides and grooms in Chechnya to be tested for HIV infection

The Mufti of Chechnya has ordered newly married couples to be tested
for AIDS and to present a certificate of absence of the HIV infection
for registration of marriage under sharia law, RIA Novosti reports.

All the mosques in the republic have already announced the
introduction of new measures.

To prevent forgery, the certificates must be issued by the Republican
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of AIDS, and their delivery
will be strictly monitored by the leadership of the health facilities.

Members of the clergy say that the measure is aimed at fighting AIDS,
since, according to doctors, the disease is spreading rapidly among
young people.