Advanced International Journal for Research

E-ISSN: 3048-7641   •   Impact Factor: 9.11

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The Divergence of Faith and Practice: Bridging the Gap Between Islamic Sexual Morality and Public Health Realities in Lanao del Sur

Author(s) Dr. Naimah Panantaon Bent Habib Balindong, Dr. Hussein Mascara Hadji Omar
Country Philippines
Abstract In the deeply religious and conservative province of Lanao del Sur, HIV is transformed into a catalyst for profound social rejection and extreme denial through the Meranaw cultural imperatives of maratabat (honor) and kaya (shame). This environment forces high-risk demographics, particularly Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), into a "clandestine reality" where the fear of family dissolution and societal ostracization outweighs the drive for medical care. Existing institutional interventions frequently fail because they lack the necessary cultural and religious legitimacy to penetrate these deep-seated socio-cultural barriers.
The research seeks to address the critical disconnect between the availability of clinical services and the sociocultural factors that prevent their utilization. By applying the Social Ecological Model and the Health Belief Model, the study aims to identify a path forward that bridges the divide between formal public health strategies and the traditional religious values of the Meranaw people. The study utilizes a qualitative research design that gathers insights from a cross-section of influential stakeholders, including medical professionals, religious leaders known as the Ulama, and community elders or Datus. This multi-perspective approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of how health-seeking behavior is influenced by both the formal medical system and traditional leadership structures.
Findings reveal that the Ulama and Datus hold the significant authority required to reframe the HIV narrative by invoking the Shariah mandate of Hifzul Nafs, or the protection of life, to sanction medical treatment. The research suggests that effective intervention must include the co-creation of culturally sensitive materials, the institutionalization of family counseling at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center to mitigate domestic rejection, and the utilization of traditional communication channels to reach vulnerable youth populations. The study demonstrates that a sustainable HIV response in Lanao del Sur requires a synergistic partnership between the formal health system and traditional religious structures. By leveraging Islamic ethics of compassion and preservation, the proposed framework seeks to dismantle the "open secret" of the epidemic, thereby lowering perceived barriers and enhancing the self-efficacy of affected individuals within their specific socio-cultural landscape.
Keywords HIV/AIDS, Meranaw Culture, Islamic Bioethics, Socio-Cultural Barriers, Health Belief Model
Published In Volume 7, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On 2026-01-15
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E-ISSN 3048-7641
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