The Silent Struggle Behind the Sermon: Speaking Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms of Imams during the Friday Khutbah in Muslim Communities

Abstract

This study explored the causes, manifestations, and coping mechanisms of speaking anxiety among Imams during the Friday Khutbah in Muslim communities of Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi. While public-speaking anxiety has been widely examined in academic settings, little is known about its occurrence in religious communication. Using a descriptive qualitative design, the study involved eight (8) purposively selected Imams who regularly deliver sermons. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that anxiety stemmed from fear of audience judgment, pressure to meet religious expectations, and concern over sermon accuracy. The anxiety manifested emotionally through self-doubt, mentally through distraction, and physically through tension and trembling. To manage these experiences, Imams employed spiritual and cognitive coping strategies, such as supplication (du’a), remembrance of Allah (dhikr), visualization, and positive self-talk. Behavioral approaches like content mastery and controlled pacing also helped sustain composure. Overall, the study concluded that Imams’ speaking anxiety reflects a unique intersection of faith and psychology. It filled a research gap by documenting the emotional struggles and faith-based resilience of Imams in the Philippine Muslim context, offering insights for future training and support programs.