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In contemporary world permeated by hegemonic Western positivistic sciences which rescinded the important value of ethics, faith traditions and revealed knowledge that have had impacted human lives for several centuries and millennials were relegated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, ICRC, AQI ADDU hold Certificate Course on IHL, Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict (Siyar)

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 19 Sep 2025

The urgent pursuit of peace and progress amidst the present context calls for institutions sharing the same strive. As stressed by Prof. Julkipli Wadi, UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) Dean, “We have seen the need to read and examine developments that entail understanding of international relations, as this is the only path what nations and countries should pursue, as we have already witnessed the horrible atrocities of war.”

This was one of the opening messages during the opening program of the “Certificate Course on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict (Siyar) held on September 16-18, 2025, in Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City.

Now in its fifth iteration, the certificate course is organized in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Al Qalam Institute of the Ateneo de Davao University (AQI ADDU). Mark Paul Samante, Chairperson, University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council of ADDU, also encouraged the participants to “engage not only as learners and scholars but as advocates who carry forward the values of dialogue, of respect, and of humanity in the face of conflict.” He added, “We look forward to a meaningful exchange of perspectives that will inspire us to pursue pathways of peace in our own meaningful communities.”

This annual event fortified not only the partnership between said institutions but, more importantly, their shared objectives. According to Layal Neaimeh, Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, International Committee of the Red Cross, these goals include exploring the conventions between IHL and Islamic Law; promoting understanding of the protection of civilians, wounded, and sick during armed conflicts; discussing the obligation and protection of healthcare workers; evolving in and with the discussions of the contribution of IHL and Islamic Law related to armed conflict in advancing peace; and acclimatizing these to the local, regional, and international state of affairs.

Select speakers from UP IIS and ICRC catered to these objectives through topics such as introductory lectures on ICRC, IHL, and Siyar, as well as discussions of principles governing armed conflict under IHL and Islam during the first day.

The discussions continued on Day Two with the “Protection of Civilians, Civilian Objects, Wounded and Sick under IHL,” “Protection of Civilians, Properties and Non-Combatants in Islamic Perspective,” “Treatment of the Captured Combatant from the Islamic Perspective,” “Management of the Dead and Missing Persons in Humanitarian Settings,” “Dignified Treatment of the Deceased and Missing Persons from Islamic Perspective,” “Protection of Health Care, Religious, and Humanitarian Personnel under IHL,” and “Protection of Health Care, Religious, and Humanitarian Personnel in Islam.”

The final day highlighted topics on gender parameters and roles, particularly “Protection Against Gender-Based Violence in Conflict Philippines,” and “Protection of Women and Children in Islam,” and contemporary contexts such as “The Role of IHL in advancing Peace in Mindanao,” and “Contemporary Challenges in IHL and Islamic Law.”

The daily series of lectures each culminated with open panel sessions, case studies, and group workshops on “IHL and Islamic Law of War and Peace,” “Lingering Humanitarian Needs of the Missing during Armed Conflicts,” and “Engaging religious leaders, academic institutions and non-state actors on IHL and Islamic Law,” facilitated by legal advisers from ICRC.

The fifth certificate course on IHL, Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict (Siyar) was attended by 30 participants coming from various regions, including Davao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Zamboanga, Cebu, Butuan, and Manila. They represented government organizations, academic and Islamic institutions, non-government organizations, several BARMM agencies, and private organizations.

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Article and photos by: Margarett Manalastas | Senior Project Assistant, UP IIS-RPED

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Policy Dialogue on Bangsamoro Shari’ah Academy and PD 1083 Concludes with Calls for Strengthened Shari’ah Justice System

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 3 Sep 2025

The two-day Policy Dialogue on the Bangsamoro Shari’ah Academy and Presidential Decree No. 1083 concluded successfully on September 1–2, 2025, gathering experts, policymakers, and practitioners to advance Shari’ah education and review the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (CMPL). The event was held at the Ground Floor of Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Organized by the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies – Islamic Studies Program (UP CIDS-ISP), the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), and the Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office of BARMM (BAGO-BARMM), the dialogue convened legal, academic, and religious stakeholders including Shari’ah Counselors and Judges, representatives from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the Philippine Judicial Academy, the House of Representatives, BARMM parliament and ministries, ulama from the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, and scholars from the University of the Philippines.

Day 1 focused on the proposed establishment of a Bangsamoro Shari’ah Academy, envisioned as a major step toward institutionalizing Shari’ah education and strengthening Islamic legal practice in the region. The discussions centered on developing concrete policy measures to support the Academy’s creation, with Atty. Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli serving as moderator.

Day 2 shifted to a critical review of PD 1083, or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines, which has not been updated since its codification in 1977 and the establishment of Shari’ah courts in 1985. Facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, the session examined potential reforms grounded in actual Shari’ah cases, fieldwork findings, and the lived experiences of practitioners. Experts emphasized three priority directions for reform. The first is enhancing, which involves expanding the scope of the law through additional operative provisions, improving effectiveness by addressing gaps and loopholes, and streamlining procedures or clarifying principles and terminologies to strengthen implementation. The second is updating, which entails responding to contemporary changes and ensuring that the law keeps pace with present and future needs. The third is correcting, which means aligning the provisions with the true essence and intent of the law—in this case, Islamic law—while addressing errors and inconsistencies that arise in its implementation.

Distinguished participants included Hon. Justice Edilwasif T. Baddiri, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, along with other legal experts, policymakers, and ulama. Their contributions highlighted the urgency of revisiting and refining PD 1083 to better serve Muslim communities in the Philippines. Proceedings and policy briefs from the dialogue will be consolidated and published by UP CIDS–Islamic Studies, with the aim of guiding decision-makers and supporting the strengthening of the Shari’ah justice system nationwide.

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Bulletin of Vacant Positions

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 15 Aug 2025

The following positions are currently vacant at the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS): Administrative Officer IV and Administrative Assistant III.

Interested applicants are advised to refer to the Bulletin of Vacant Positions issued by the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO). For further details, please visit the HRDO website at https://hrdo.upd.edu.ph/jobs

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IV

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IIII

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LIHAL Project Launches with Community Needs Assessment in Sulu

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 28 Jul 2025

The Library of Islamic Heritage, Arts, and Language (LIHAL) has officially commenced its first phase with a series of community needs assessment activities conducted in selected areas of Sulu from July 22 to 25, 2025.

Led by the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), the initiative aimed to collect baseline data and establish local partnerships to ensure the project is grounded in the actual needs, aspirations, and capacities of the communities it seeks to serve. The LIHAL project is anchored on the commitment to preserve and promote Sulu’s rich cultural heritage, including the historical narratives of Lupah Sug.

The fieldwork revealed key insights into existing educational gaps and the urgent need for cultural preservation in both public and private institutions across the province.

Preliminary findings show that many students in remote area, such as Sitio Sionogan in Indanan, have never set foot in a library or museum, despite already being in junior high school. Some public schools, including the nearest one to the sitio, do not have a library. In contrast, private institutions like Notre Dame of Jolo College have better resources, including a Heritage Hub, which serves as a mini-museum showcasing historical exhibits and rare book collections. However, access to such facilities remains limited, especially for students from underserved communities, as shared by the teachers. They have also expressed the need for capacity-building programs for history teachers and heritage workers, particularly in curation, documentation, and the dissemination of local cultural knowledge.

Meanwhile, institutions like the Lupah Sug Provincial Library and the National Museum branch in Sulu, both located in the heart of the province, have played a significant role in promoting cultural education. Through school immersion programs and educational tours, they have broadened students’ exposure to local heritage. However, these institutions, much like most school-based libraries in the region, suffer from a lack of relevant reading materials, particularly those that feature Sulu’s history and arts authored by local writers. This highlights the urgent need to support local authorship and provide training opportunities and publishing platforms for emerging writers in Sulu.

The assessment engaged key stakeholders, including teachers, librarians, students, library clients, and community leaders. Participating institutions included Sulu National High School, Notre Dame of Jolo College, the Lupah Sug Provincial Library, and the community of Sitio Sionogan.

Following the fieldwork, the UP IIS team is set to release a comprehensive report featuring policy recommendations and educational program proposals based on the collected data. The report will also identify potential partners and collaborators to help develop and sustain a community-based library model tailored to the unique context and cultural landscape of Sulu.

Beyond data collection, the project also gathered meaningful stories from the people of Sulu, reflecting their cultural pride and hopes for the future. These narratives will help inform efforts to support local education and heritage preservation.

LIHAL is an extension project of UP IIS funded by the UP Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development.

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Article by Camz Bello | Photos by Nash Rasul and Kristine Sulla

News & Archives

UP IIS Faculty Join NCMF’s Shari’ah Awareness Campaign in Sulu as Resource Experts

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 28 Jul 2025

In partnership with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Provincial Government of Sulu, Assoc. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, faculty member of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) and Convenor of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies – Islamic Studies Program (UP CIDS-ISP), along with Ms. Johayra Datlan, Senior Lecturer at UP IIS and Development Management Officer III at NCMF, served as resource persons for the “Awareness Seminar on PD1083 (Code of Muslim Personal Laws or CMPL) and Other Laws Affecting Muslims in the Philippines.” This awareness-raising activity was held on July 24, 2025, at Sumadja Hall, Capitol Site, Patikul, in the province of Sulu.

The initiative is a response to long-standing challenges facing Shari’ah Law, particularly the CMPL, since its codification in 1977 and the establishment of Shari’ah courts in 1985. To this day, the CMPL has not been updated or expanded, and Shari’ah Law remains largely unfamiliar to the broader Muslim population in the Philippines.

Since 2023, UP IIS and UP CIDS-ISP have actively implemented and collaborated on various initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness and educating Muslim communities. These efforts also seek to promote dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders and institutions engaged in matters related to Islamic Law.

Representing the provincial government of Sulu, Provincial Administrator Hon. Erwin Tan expressed his appreciation for the presence of UP IIS in his welcome message. He also conveyed hopes for stronger collaboration with the provincial government, particularly in advancing academic initiatives such as the revival of the historical narratives of Lupah Sug.

The seminar began with a lecture by Prof. Absari on the Brief History of Islamic Law in the Philippines. In his presentation, he emphasized not only the importance of raising awareness among Muslim communities regarding Shari’ah Law, but also the need to encourage the use and promotion of Shari’ah court services. This, he stressed, is essential to honor the struggles of the ancestors and Muslim revolutionary groups such as the MNLF in preserving the traditions, practices, and legal systems of Muslims in Mindanao.

Ms. Datlan followed with a lecture on the Salient Features of PD1083. She highlighted key provisions of the law and how they contrast with other existing Philippine laws. She underscored the need for separate legal frameworks for Muslims to ensure culturally sensitive engagement with issues such as marriage, inheritance, civil personality, and divorce.

This awareness-raising campaign is a joint effort of UP IIS, UP CIDS-ISP, NCMF, and the Provincial Government of Sulu developed in line with the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ reaffirmation of its commitment to strengthening the role of Shari’ah Courts within the national judicial system.

Article by Camz Bello | Photos by Nash Rasul

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IV

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IIII

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