Author: UP Institute of Islamic Studies

In contemporary world permeated by hegemonic Western positivistic sciences which rescinded the important value of ethics, faith traditions and revealed knowledge that have had impacted human lives for several centuries and millennials were relegated to private life. This notion of privatizing civilizational religions, Islam in particular, had created intellectual numbness, apathy and indifference. To bring forth ‘intellectual compassion’ in the arrogant world of Western sciences, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies was created on November 22, 1973 by Presidential Decree 342, as part of the Philippine Center for Advanced Studies (PCAS). Following the abolition of PCAS on July 9, 1979 by virtue of Executive Order No. 543 issued by the then-president of the Philippines, the Institute was re-established as a separate unit of the University.

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UP IIS Concludes Shari’ah Bar Review 2026

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 19 May 2026

Amid the growing recognition of Shari’ah Law within the Philippine judicial system, the Supreme Court of the Philippines continues to acknowledge the important role of Shari’ah Courts in promoting justice and addressing the legal needs of Muslim communities across the country. In response to the increasing demand for qualified Shari’ah practitioners, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) successfully concluded the UP Shari’ah Review 2026.

Now in its second year, the review program was conducted every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from January 16 to May 17, 2026. Implemented as part of the Institute’s extension initiatives, the program sought to provide aspiring Shari’ah counselors with comprehensive academic preparation for the Shari’ah Bar Examination scheduled on May 24 and 27, 2026.

Anchored on the academic standards of the UP IIS, the review covered major subject areas including Introduction to Legal Ethics, Jurisprudence and Customary Laws, Persons, Family Relations and Property, Islamic Banking, Finance and Halal, Succession, Wills, Adjudication and Settlement of Estates, and Procedures in Shari’ah Courts. The program also featured sessions on Legal Writing and coaching, equipping participants with practical legal writing skills and examination strategies essential for the bar examinations.

The review program was facilitated by experienced Shari’ah-at-Law practitioners, attorneys, bar examiners, and lecturers from the UP Institute of Islamic Studies. Among the lecturers were Mehol K. Sadain, Patrick M. Velez, Jamel Mamutuk, Johayra Datlan, Luqman Bin Usman Imam, and Aisha Malayang-Flores.

Through its online delivery mode, the UP IIS accommodated 187 participants, the majority of whom were from Mindanao. The online setup enabled participants to access recorded lectures, learning materials, and asynchronous activities, providing greater flexibility and inclusivity for learners from different parts of the country.

In light of the continuing need for qualified Shari’ah counselors in the Philippines, the UP IIS remains committed to sustaining and strengthening the program through its regular annual implementation. The initiative forms part of the Institute’s broader efforts to expand access to quality legal education and contribute to the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education.

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Article by: Camille Lucille Bello | Photos by: UP IIS

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UPCIDS-ISP and UP IIS Conduct Validation Meeting on Halal Compliance Study

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 19 May 2026

The Islamic Studies Program (ISP) of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies, in partnership with the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, conducted a validation meeting to review the findings and policy recommendations of the study titled “Halal Accessibility to Muslim PDLs and Trainees.” The activity was held on April 16, 2026, at Room 104-B, Virata Hall, Institute for Small-Scale Industries, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Facilitated by ISP Convenor Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, the validation meeting covered the project’s background on halal compliance in Philippine correctional facilities and security institutions, contextual lectures on historical prejudices between Muslims and non-Muslims during the Spanish, American, and Japanese periods, and contemporary studies aimed at leveling off understanding and raising awareness of the research context. He also presented the study’s current findings, status, and policy directions. Using field visits, interviews, and stakeholder consultations, the study assessed halal accessibility for Muslim trainees and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) across selected institutions, noting varying levels of compliance. While the Philippine Coast Guard relies on informal assurances and food segregation without formal certification or dedicated facilities, the Philippine National Police implements non-pork meal provisions and utensil segregation in Muslim training areas. The New Bilibid Prison demonstrates more structured mechanisms, including designated Muslim focal persons, ISO-based procedures, and a mosque within its compound, with prayer spaces generally available across institutions despite occasional lapses in food handling.

Despite these practices, the study identified several gaps, including the absence of a unified halal policy, lack of formal certification and dedicated kitchens, insufficient staff training, shared food preparation areas, and limited awareness of broader halal requirements. It also highlighted weak coordination with the wider Muslim community, particularly in providing timely support for Muslim PDLs in critical situations. To address these concerns, the study recommends the adoption of standardized halal policies, mandatory cultural sensitivity training, provision of designated prayer spaces, and more proactive institutional accommodation. It further calls for strengthened coordination with accredited halal certifiers, deeper engagement with Muslim organizations, improved psychosocial and reintegration support for Muslim PDLs, and the possible hiring of additional Muslim personnel in facilities with significant Muslim populations.

The validation meeting concluded with an open forum where participants raised questions and provided additional recommendations to strengthen halal compliance within their respective security institutions. The activity forms part of the broader project, “Halal Compliance in Philippine Correctional Facilities and Security Institutions,” which examines current practices and proposes policy measures to better support Muslim inmates and trainees in observing their religious dietary obligations.

The event was attended by representatives from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections, the House of Representatives, and Thinking Ummah.

Article by: Camille Lucille Bello | Photos by: UPCIDS-ISP

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In Remembrance of Others: UPD Celebrates Eid al-Fitr 2026

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 26 Mar 2026

“Let Eid be a continuation,” emphasized Dr. Abdulhamit Durakoglu, Senior Lecturer of UP IIS, as he addressed around 1,000 Muslim worshippers at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman, on March 21, 2026. He further advised the faithful that Ramadhan should not mark the end of “what we have done,” such as increased devotion, charity, and forgiveness, but rather serve as a call to sustain these acts consistently beyond the Holy Month.

Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of UP IIS, led the takbir mursal at the first saf (line) of the congregation as the attendees sat before him, absorbed in reflection and du’a. Worshippers from different parts of Metro Manila filled the hall, united in solemn anticipation. As the atmosphere of devotion settled, the program transitioned into the khutbah (sermon) delivered by Dr. Abdulhamit Durakoglu.

In his khutbah, Dr. Durakoglu emphasized that Ramadhan provides “a unique environment” where bonds within families and communities are strengthened, acts of worship and charity are multiplied, and spiritual reflection is deepened. In this sense, Ramadhan becomes a period of renewal for Muslims worldwide—reinforcing the pursuit of good just as the struggle against evil is intensified.

His khutbah also moved beyond individual struggles to be better Muslims, as he brought attention to those “under the shadow of suffering” in different parts of the world, who in that same time, were celebrating their Eid al-Fitr under oppression, conflict, and injustice. He referenced the hadith that describes the believers as one body, and that if there is one part of the body in pain, then the entire body is also affected. “We should work hard for the needs of others,” he further stated.

Towards the end, he returned to the basic purpose of fasting in the month of Ramadhan, that is, to attain taqwa, or the fear and consciousness of Allah (SWT). This constant awareness and practice of the Islamic faith elevates a Muslim, and in turn, results in his or her attainment of qalb saleem, or the sound and pure heart. This cultivated heart, he underlined, is a Muslim’s ticket to enter jannah (paradise) in the afterlife.

Lastly, he called upon the faithful to persist in doing good both for oneself and others even after Ramadhan, but with a special emphasis on the latter, as he mentioned the sunnah of fasting for 6 days in the month of Shawwal and on the days of Monday and Thursday. Indeed, according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), “The best of deeds are small ones, repeated often.” He ended the khutbah with the following du’a:

“Ya Rab, we tasted the sweetness of your nearness in Ramadan. Let us not become blind again. Let us not become distant again. We have cried, we have prayed, we have hoped. Let us not fall back into the prison of our lower self. Let this Eid be a mark on our lives—that we left Ramadan changed.”

The worshippers thereafter shook hands, greeted and embraced each other, and walked towards a corner of traditional snacks and refreshments. A photo wall outside was also prepared by the UP IIS staff for families and friends in attendance together. For a short period of time, Ang Bahay ng Alumni imbibed the spirit of Eid and set the pace for the rest of the festive and celebratory day for Muslims in Metro Manila, including non-Muslims in company and solidarity with their Muslim friends and relatives.

The Eid al-Fitr congregational prayer is an annual initiative of UP IIS under its extension programs, reflecting the University’s enduring commitment to service and community engagement for diverse sectors in Philippine society.

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Article by: Shariful Hashim Mansul | Photos by: Marlon Pervera

News & Archives

UP Iftar Highlights Call for Stronger Ties with Muslim World

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 19 Mar 2026

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.”

The evening concluded on a reflective and hopeful note as Amina Rasul, President of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), expressed gratitude for the shared insights and spirit of solidarity fostered during the gathering. She emphasized the significance of creating spaces that not only acknowledge global challenges but also promote understanding, compassion, and collective hope.

“Iftar is one of those wonderful ways by which we can come together and try to neutralize the negativity that we see all around us,” Rasul said.

Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan, is observed by Muslims worldwide as part of a sacred month dedicated to fasting, prayer, reflection, charity, and community.

Among those present were H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia; Amb. Alan T. Timbayan, former Philippine Ambassador to Qatar; Mdm. Atefeh Nouri Ghanbalani, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Mr. Mohammad Alirezaie of the Iranian Embassy; Atty. Lorenzo Reyes, Convenor of PCID; Atty. Salman Rauls, Executive Director of PCID; along with representatives from various Muslim agencies, interfaith organizations, and UP officials.

The evening not only marked the breaking of the fast but also served as a platform for reaffirming the role of dialogue, cooperation, and shared humanity in addressing the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.

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Article by: Camille Lucille Bello, University Researcher II
Photos by: Marlon Pervera, Administrative Assistant III

News & Archives

UP IIS Conducts Islamic Psychology on Mental Health Webinar

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 6 Feb 2026

In partnership with the International Center for Social Research, Peace & Development (ICSRPD) and the American Online University, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) held a webinar on Islamic Psychology on Mental Health on February 4, 2026, featuring Dr. Mohamed Moustafa, Dean of the Islamic Psychology College in Türkiye, as the resource speaker.

Dr. Moustafa’s discussion centered on the importance of drawing from the Qur’an and the sunnah, as fundamental sources for dealing with the problems of mental afflictions. Contrary to Western psychology that is based on a purely empirical epistemology, Islamic psychology integrates Allah’s (SWT) revelations by tying human purpose with tawhidic balance to effect a well-being aligned with Islam. This is a response to the individualistic assumptions that undergird Western social sciences, which herald individual happiness as the highest good.

As a field rooted in the sacred scriptures, Islamic psychology diverges from the aimed outcome of personal satisfaction and converges with the teachings of Islam. Thus, aside from an epistemological break, Dr. Moustafa adds that there is also a teleological separation from the Western sciences which are anchored on individualism. Indeed, on this very account, he asserts that Islamic psychology touches a deeper layer of the psyche than its purely positivist counterpart, as the Qur’an conveys:

“Whether you conceal what is in your hearts or reveal it, it is known to Allah.” (Surah al-‘Imran, 3:29)

By providing a corrective to the implicit Western assumptions in general psychology, Dr. Moustafa explicates and realigns essential notions of well-being and purpose with Islam. Towards the end of his discussion, three questions were raised regarding the intersections between clinical psychology and Islamic psychology, the contemporary relevance of Islamic classical concepts of the self, and the place of forgiveness in Islam. The discussion ended after his reflective responses that centered on the importance of Islamic epistemological grounding and trusting the guidance of Allah (SWT) beyond the therapist’s professional expertise.

The webinar garnered more than a hundred participants from all over the country and from different fields such as the academe, government, civil society, among many others. The webinar was also graced by the introductory remarks of Dean Julkipli M. Wadi of the UP IIS and Engr. Ossama Al-Azzouni, President of the ICSRPD.

This initiative aligns with the Social Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, as it addresses the important issue of mental health in an Islamic perspective, contributing to the University’s commitment to fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Additionally, Dr. Moustafa’s discussion fosters a deeper understanding both among Muslims and non-Muslims in Asia, a mandate central to the UP IIS, with a special emphasis on spiritual well-being.

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Article by: Shariful Hashim S. Mansul

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