UP Iftar Highlights Call for Stronger Ties with Muslim World

As global tensions continue to ripple across the Middle East and beyond, leaders at the University of the Philippines (UP) are calling for deeper engagement between the Philippines and the Muslim world, grounded in dialogue, academic collaboration, and mutual respect.

This message took center stage during an iftar dinner hosted by the UP Office of the President on March 17, 2026, at the Executive House in UP Diliman.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of the UP IIS, underscored the urgency of fostering both intra-faith and interfaith solidarity amid ongoing conflicts.

“We could begin to envision a new way of forging relations–not only among Muslims of various orientations and schools of thought, but also to strengthen our interfaith relations,” Prof. Wadi said. “As the war that began in Gaza has expanded to Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and now Iran, an equally important program the University of the Philippines could advance is to deepen the Philippines’ engagement with the Muslim world.”

Prof. Wadi noted that this imperative has already begun to take shape through the Program on the Philippines and the Muslim World, an initiative of UP IIS. The program includes ongoing engagements with various embassies, such as those of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran, and seeks to build stronger diplomatic, academic, and cultural ties. 

According to Dean Wadi, the creation of UP IIS during the government of Ferdinand Marcos Sr five decades ago was precisely to position UP as a nexus of relations between the Philippines and the Muslim world. The Philippines and the Muslim World program is one of the flagship  projects of the New Institute of Islamic Studies Complex in UP as IIS new home in 2027. 

He added that partnerships with UP may be further strengthened through collaborative research and academic exchange programs, positioning the national university as a key platform for intellectual and cultural exchange. 

The initiative aligns with the vision of UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, who aims to position the university at the forefront of transformative pedagogy, research, and public service on both local and global fronts.

In his welcome message, President Jimenez expressed strong support for the Institute’s direction. 

“I support the vision of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies—to be a leader in Islamic thought and solidarity, not only within the Muslim world but globally, with the Philippines playing a meaningful role,” he said. 

He also emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and inclusivity. “Your presence reminds us that dialogue across cultures and faiths remains essential in building a more humane and understanding world, especially in today’s tense international environment,” President Jimenez added. “Across the Middle East and beyond, communities continue to face displacement, hardship, loss, and insecurity.”

For the second consecutive year, President Jimenez hosted the iftar as part of the observance of Ramadan. As the first UP president from Mindanao, the occasion holds particular personal and cultural significance.

Also present at the gathering was Senator Robin Padilla, who echoed the call for unity by urging continued prayers for peace and justice, especially during the sacred month of Ramadan. He highlighted how ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world have far-reaching global impacts.

“The whole world is in chaos right now, and I believe it urgently needs our prayers—first, for peace, and second, for those who have lost their lives. There are so many who have died, and they deserve justice. We must remember that it is not only about peace; it must be peace with justice.”