RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND THEIR POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT: A STUDY ON FAITH AND GOVERNANCE
Keywords:
Muslim religious leaders, political involvement, faith and governance, socio-demographic characteristics, political engagement, challenges in political engagement, coping mechanisms, religious leadership, qualitative researchAbstract
This study explored the political involvement of Muslim religious leaders in selected areas of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and North Cotabato. Specifically, it described the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, examined their forms of political involvement, identified the challenges they encountered in political engagement, and explained the coping mechanisms they employed in addressing these challenges. The study utilized a qualitative descriptive research design. Nine (9) Muslim religious leaders, including imams, ustadz, alim, madrasa teachers, community preachers, and religious political leaders, were purposively selected as key informants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the participants actively engage in governance and community affairs through consultation, collaboration with government institutions, community decision-making, political representation, and peacebuilding initiatives. Their political participation is firmly anchored in Islamic teachings, emphasizing justice, honesty, accountability, moral governance, and the welfare of the Bangsamoro community. The study further identified political opposition, political conflict, and the preservation of religious integrity as the primary challenges encountered by the participants. To address these challenges, they relied on community-based leadership, consultation (shūrā), guidance from the Qur’an and Sunnah, patience (ṣabr), integrity, humility, and steadfast adherence to Islamic principles. The study concludes that Muslim religious leaders continue to play a significant role in governance by integrating faith-based leadership with political participation, promoting ethical governance, strengthening community cohesion, and advancing the welfare of the Bangsamoro while remaining faithful to Islamic values.
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