Nageeb Gounjaria & Ahmad Farouk Musa || 26 August 2025
Ultimately, the government should adopt an approach grounded in human rights and compassion rather than punishment and exclusion. This shift could save lives and help Malaysia achieve its goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.
Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, Founder and Director of the Islamic Renaissance Front in Kuala Lumpur, an academic and surgeon by training, made this statement in an interview with Nageeb Gounjaria.
The fight against HIV in Malaysia goes beyond public health; it is also a moral, spiritual and societal responsibility. Grounded in the teachings of Islam, this effort draws on the values of compassion (rahmah), justice (‘adl) and sanctity of life (hifz al-nafs)—principles central to maqasid al-sharia, the higher objectives of Islamic sharia. Addressing HIV means more than preventing or treating disease; it is about protecting the dignity, rights and well-being of every individual, regardless of background or circumstances.
In Islam, human life is sacred and that the protection of life and health is a communal responsibility. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged care for the sick, compassion for the marginalized, and the pursuit of knowledge for the greater good. These values demand that HIV prevention initiatives in Malaysia integrate both modern science and Islamic ethics—an approach that is evidence-based yet sensitive to religious and cultural contexts.
With its rich Islamic heritage and diverse population, Malaysia is in a unique position to lead a faith-based yet inclusive HIV prevention response. HIV is not a moral failure but a medical condition that requires understanding, support and prevention. Marginalizing or shaming those affected runs contrary to the prophetic example of mercy and care. To explore this further, we spoke to Dato’ Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, Founder and Director of the Islamic Renaissance Front, who is also a medical practitioner and trained surgeon.
Nageeb: From an Islamic standpoint, why are HIV prevention and treatment efforts important, especially for vulnerable groups?
Dr Farouk Musa: I recognize that this topic is very sensitive and can be misconstrued. From an Islamic perspective, I believe that HIV prevention and treatment efforts are generally permissible and encouraged, even for groups often viewed as engaging in high-risk or sinful behaviour, such as IV drugs users, sex workers, and men who have sex with men (MSM). This stance aligns with core Islamic principles of compassion, justice, the obligation to prevent harm (dar al-mafāsid) and the preservation of life (hifz al-nafs). I believe that Islamic ethics strongly support HIV prevention and treatment initiatives, regardless of potential controversial, as acts of compassion, justice and public responsibility. In fact, in the state of Perlis which is known for its strong Salafi leaning, the Perlis Fatwa Council has ruled that providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is permissible, even to high-risk groups, including MSM, since the importance of preventing the spread of HIV outweighs any moral concerns regarding perceived sinful behaviour.
Nageeb: In your view, what are some common misconceptions Malaysians have about HIV prevention efforts and people living with HIV that should be corrected? And what more can the government and civil society do to help reduce the stigma around HIV prevention in Malaysia?
Dr Farouk Musa: One major misconception is that prevention methods like condoms or PrEP encourage promiscuity. This belief is particularly prevalent among the conservative Muslims in our country. However, these tools are public health interventions, not moral endorsements. Their purpose is to prevent HIV and save lives, which aligns with values in the Islamic ethical frameworks. To effectively combat HIV in Malaysia, we must address stigma alongside the virus. In order to destigmatise, we need to tackle misconceptions that stem from misinformation, moral panic or religious misinterpretation. Only when religious leaders, policymakers, civil society leaders and affected communities collaborate can Malaysia progress towards a more inclusive, informed and health-literate society—one where HIV prevention is regarded as a shared responsibility rather than a taboo. I believe the government could take further action by implementing comprehensive sex education in secondary schools for mature students. We have observed a rise in HIV cases among university students, so it’s crucial to educate them beforehand. The main aim should be to understand the science behind HIV and prevention methods without promoting illicit behaviour.
Nageeb: In Malaysia, what role do you see religion playing in HIV treatment? How can religious organisations or authorities contribute, and are there any examples—past or present—of them being involved in this area?
Dr Farouk Musa: My perspective may differ from others. I view religion not as a barrier, but rather as a potentially powerful force for good in the fight against HIV. When religious authorities openly address HIV, frame treatment and prevention as moral and religious imperatives, and collaborate with the Ministry of Health and public health stakeholders, they can enhance community trust, reduce stigma and save lives. Furthermore, religious interpretations significantly impact whether individuals accept or reject concepts such as condom use, PrEP, HIV testing and treatment. I believe that religious authorities should mediate the tension between morality and public health. They should promote harm reduction as a form of lesser evil to prevent greater harm. However, we have observed resistance from conservative religious bodies like the Selangor Fatwa Council, which holds an opposing view on this issue. Thus, there remains a long struggle ahead.
Nageeb: What specific steps can the government take to strengthen HIV prevention among higher-risk groups?
Dr Farouk Musa: I believe the Malaysian government can implement targeted and inclusive actions to improve HIV prevention among higher-risk groups such as MSM, IV drug users, sex workers, transgender individuals and incarcerated populations. These groups face disproportionate HIV risks due to a combination of behavioural, structural, legal and social factors. These include stigma, criminalisation and limited access to healthcare. However, this requires a genuine political commitment from the government. Is the government willing to reform, especially since it has positioned itself as a reformist entity? Will it consider repealing criminalising laws like Section 377B, which targets consensual same-sex activity? We have previously discussed the need for this repeal in our article “Should Section 377B of the Penal Code be repealed”. See our position at https://irfront.org/post/articles-english-8417. Ultimately, the government should adopt an approach grounded in human rights and compassion rather than punishment and exclusion. This shift could save lives and help Malaysia achieve its goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.
Nageeb Gounjaria is a bioethicist trained at the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Faculty of Medicine, Public Health & Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Madah, Indonesia). He holds a Master degree in Philosophy (National University of Singapore) and is currently a PhD candidate at International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM).
Dato’ Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa is a scholar, researcher, and social activist. He is the Founder and Director of the Islamic Renaissance Front. He holds a PhD in Surgery from Monash University Australia and Masters of Medicine in Surgery from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
