“...Sakit Tak Boleh Belo, Mati Tal Boleh Tengak...”: The Stigmatization and Dehumanization of a Corona-19 Outbreak on a Dakwah Tabliq Muslim Patient

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) is a situation affecting populations around the world which has created a panic on the people. This anthropological research paper aims to describe the life experience of a patient infected with COVID-19 who’s a male Muslim belong to Dahwah Tabliq group that was infected from a religious activity in Malaysia. Using fieldwork and in-depth interviews with his mother to collect data in epidemic area (red zone) in Pattani Province.  The findings show that the 2019 coronavirus outbreak either carry physical ailments, but also created a fear of the people in the community which affecting the patient to suffer hardships in living, get severance, abandoned, being socially abused by people in his village. These stigmatizations leaded himself withdrawn from the society. It unremittingly occurred even though he had recovered from the disease. In addition, difficulties with food, employment, and the loss of family members while in detention were incurable wounds.  Conversely, to overcome these situations, he signified the Islamic teachings - patience sobar), faith iman), accepting the circumstances of God (qada-qadar)- to escort and transcend him to devastate the test and suffering as the test from Go to HIS beloved believers, and move on his new life chapter.