Couple with AIDS marry despite social stigma of the illness

(20 May 2009) SHOTLIST AP Televisions Karachi, Pakistan April 27, 2009 1. Wide of bride in yellow formal wear arriving at pre-marriage function 2. Mid of bride walking in hospital corridor with friends 3. Various of bride's friends clapping and singing 4. Close shot of drumming 5. Wide of pre-marriage celebration, with bride sitting on chair in background 6. Set-up shot Dr Saleem Azam 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Saleem Azam, HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme Manager: "This wedding is something very unusual in an environment where nobody is willing to come publicly and say 'yes, I am infected with HIV AIDS', because most of us, it's a Muslim country, and unfortunately in the beginning because of some reasons HIV/AIDS was highlighted as a disorder, a disease, as an infection." 8. Wide of Zainab Marriage Hall, Karachi 9. Mid of banner, reads "Positive Marriage" 10. Wide of wedding party arriving in hall 11. Mid of guest sitting 12. Various of bride walking with friends and family 13. Close of bride's hands 14. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Rubina Naz, Bride (has AIDS) "I decided to get married after thinking carefully about it. I don't know how long I am going to live because people with this disease will not live very long, but I would like to fulfil my rights. Iqbal (bridegroom) is also a victim of this disease. He proposed to me and our marriage is a love marriage. He is a very good person and we are happily marrying each other and will try to remain happy in the future." 15. Various of dancing, drumming with groom's friends before his arrival at marriage hall 16. Wide of groom and party arriving at marriage hall 17. Close of drumming with bride in background 18. Wide of groom and party arriving at marriage hall 19. Wide of bride and bridegroom sitting on stage with friends and family 20. Mid of bride and groom 21. Close of groom 22. Close-up groom's hand 23. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Mohammad Iqbal, Groom (has AIDS): "I have decided to keep her happy and I will try to give her all the happiness to the best of my ability, and will try my best to help her forget her past. She has gone through a very tough time, but I will try to give her a lot of happiness while I live. Her kids are mine now, and I will try to give them a better life and provide them the best education. I will try to give them the love of a father so that they don't feel ignored." 24. Various of wedding guests eating dinner 25. SOUNDBITE (English/Urdu) Rana Asif Habib, President of the Initiator Human Development Foundation: "I think this marriage is the first of its kind in Pakistan and we are feeling very happy as today is the first time that this class of our society which has been neglected and kept in dark by our society has been given a chance to celebrate." 26. Wide of bride and groom leaving stage with friends 27. Over the shoulder shot of people leaving marriage hall ++NIGHT SHOTS 28. Wide of Karachi LEADIN One couple in Pakistan - both of whom have AIDS - appear to be leading the way in "positive marriages". It's a big step forward in a traditional country where there's a huge stigma attached to both HIV and AIDS. STORYLINE Rubina Naz arriving for a pre-wedding celebration with friends. Dressed in a formal yellow outfit she's shyly veiled, while her companions sing to a drum beat traditional wedding songs. Rubina's friends apply henna on her hands - the flowery designs are traditional - but this is no traditional bride in a conservative Islamic country. She's taking part in what's been called a "Positive Marriage," by Doctor Saleem Azam. He says the wedding is an historical social event aimed at breaking social taboos. Both the bride and groom have AIDS. His organisation works towards rehabilitating HIV and AIDS patients. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3ed42038ddceb1f899f9f8e823f35d43 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork