A Mosque-Based MOUD Programme: Bringing Treatment, Peer Support and Faith Together
The Ar-Rahman Mosque programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was an innovative treatment initiative that combined faith-based and evidence-informed approaches for Muslim men experiencing Opioid Use Disorders. It was reported to be the first Islamic-inspired MOUD (Medications for Opioid Use Disorder) programme delivered in a mosque setting. The programme increased accessibility to long-term recovery support through community religious institutions.
The programme combined MOUD (Medications for Opioid Use Disorder), alongside religious counselling and peer support. The pilot programme showed promising outcomes in initiating recovery, promoting abstinence (all but one participant returned to use), and improving quality of life.
Those who benefitted from the programme reported three helpful factors: access to treatment, the convenience of the location, and the relevance of religion to their recovery.
The programme illustrates how a holistic faith-based approach that integrates religion, medicine, psychology, and peer support within a culturally meaningful setting can reduce barriers to help-seeking, provide treatment, and initiate long-term recovery support.
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