Religious leaders join hands for diabetes awareness

 Leaders of different religions have come forward to spread awareness on diabetes in Delhi ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14.

Prominent religious structures, such as Swaminarayan Akshardham temple, Jama Masjid, Sacred Heart Church and Bangla Sahib Gurdwara will be lit with blue lights to spread the message on diabetes.

“Screening of diabetes is important, or one goes on consuming sweets without knowing it,” said Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief P S Sarna on Wednesday. Over 5,000 people took part in a diabetes screening camp at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj.

Zakir Khan, member of Delhi Wakf Board, said awareness on diabetes was low among Muslims, although they were at high risk due to fatty food they consume. “We’ve asked maulanas, imams and people in madrasas to spread awareness on diabetes screening,” he said.

Dominic Emanuel, spokesman of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, who is himself a diabetic, said awareness is important to fight the lifestyle disease. “Since ours is a religious country, it is a wonderful opportunity to seek the influence of religious leaders in creating awareness,” said Delhi Diabetes Research Centre chairperson A K Jhingan.

International Diabetes Foundation member Jean Claude Mbanya said diabetes was not an end but a beginning since it can be controlled with right food and action.
“We are also approaching taxi drivers’ and police associations for diabetes screening,” said Aparna Thomas of pharma company Sanofi India.