Last Saturday, July 5, 2025, the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) held its 35th Recognition Ceremony with the new batch of Master of Arts in Islamic Studies graduates.
“LUNAS: Hail the Truth with Unwavering Pursuit of Justice and Indomitable Quest for Integrity and Humanity” is the theme of IIS Recognition event.
According to IIS Dean Julkipli Wadi “lunas” (remedy or healing) must embrace truth, justice, integrity and humanity for real healing to happen in both individuals and nations and the world at large.
This year’s Recognition’s guest is Ms. Jamela Aisha Alindogan, a distinguished Filipino journalist. In her Inspirational address, Alindogan shared her experiences as a media personality. She talked about the Middle East, Ukraine and her experience as a graduate student in Europe including her women’s empowerment project in Sulu. In her concluding remarks, she reminded students to “Serve with accountability, purpose, and integrity para sa bayan at hindi para kaninuman (For the country and never for anyone else).”
UPIIS Graduates this year include Al-Ahmadgaid B. Asaad, Khalid M. Bashier, Mahadil S. Dammang, Adzhar J. Madjid, and Asnaira P. Sarip. As their reflections, Basher talked about leadership and building bridges. As Muslim intellectuals, building bridges also means “bridging the gap between Islamic intellectual tradition and modernity.” They consider knowledge they gained from the Institute “as far more than academic knowledge — it is a transformative understanding that shapes life” as it “also taught them character.” They prayed that “their humble contribution would add into the pool of knowledge and be accepted by ALLAH (swt) and placed among their good deeds in the Day of Judgement.”
In the closing remarks, Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, a distinguished lecturer at the UP IIS, shared on “text and spirit of knowledge. “ He said, “Our text as human beings is what we do with our lives.” He then spoke of “spirit as purpose and the real meaning of your life.”
UP IIS also recognised university and college scholars during the second semester of A.Y. 2023-2024 and the first semester of A.Y. 2024-2025. Distinguished lecturers of 2025 IIS Online Shari’ah Review were also honored during the program.
