The Role of Ulama  and Communal Figures in Mediating the Social  Integration of Populations Navigating Chronic Health Crises

Naimah Panantaon Bent Habib Balindong; Hussein Mascara Hadji Omar

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.85217

The Role of Ulama and Communal Figures in Mediating the Social Integration of Populations Navigating Chronic Health Crises

Author(s)	Dr. Naimah Panantaon Bent Habib Balindong, Dr. Hussein Mascara Hadji Omar
Country	Philippines
Abstract	In Lanao del Sur, the HIV/AIDS epidemic remains an "open secret" shrouded in a "culture of denial." Viewed through a lens of moral failure rather than public health, the disease often results in "social death." For People Living with HIV (PLHIV), the fear of Kaya (shame) and familial rejection leads to profound isolation and suicidal ideation. A critical tension exists between strict Islamic prohibitions and the pragmatic needs of healthcare. Current interventions often fail because they lack alignment with local moral authorities, such as the Ulama (religious scholars) and traditional Datus. While these leaders currently reinforce stigma, they remain the most culturally legitimate gatekeepers for change. Utilizing the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and Health Belief Model (HBM), this study analyzes qualitative data from Islamic scholars, royal Sultanate leaders, government officials, medical professionals, and PLHIV. The research explores how religious authority and sociocultural drivers contribute to the epidemic's spread. The findings highlight the dual role of the Ulama: they currently perpetuate biases but also provide the only "psychologically resonant" framework for coping through Tawbah (repentance) and Sabr (patience). Furthermore, traditional leaders identify that deviations from marriage customs have pushed individuals toward illicit relationships. When stigma enters the family unit, it creates a structural barrier to care, as parents may prioritize family honor over a child’s medical treatment. Effective intervention in Mëranaw society requires an "institutionalized, culturallygrounded roadmap." The study concludes that the Ulama and Datus must be transformed into "champions of empathetic, faith-based advocacy." By leveraging the Islamic maxim Lā darara wa lā dirār (the duty to prevent harm), leaders can pivot from punitive discourse toward a "doctrine of compassion." This shift is vital to move HIV from a clandestine reality to a shared social responsibility, reanchoring the community in mercy and collective resilience.
Keywords	Faith-Based Advocacy, HIV-Related Stigma, Ulama and Traditional Leadership, Meranaw-Islamic Context
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-07
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.85217

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The Role of Ulama and Communal Figures in Mediating the Social Integration of Populations Navigating Chronic Health Crises

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