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In contemporary world permeated by hegemonic Western positivistic sciences which rescinded the important value of ethics, faith traditions and revealed knowledge that have had impacted human lives for several centuries and millennials were relegated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 Welcomes Norwich University Peace and War Center for Academic Visit

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 28 May 2024

“To foster a deeper understanding amongst the people” is the shared mission of the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) and the Norwich University Peace and War Center, as underscored during the “Seminar on Philippine Muslim History: A Briefer with Q&A,” held on May 6, 2024, at Room 303, Virata Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman.

As part of their Field Study on Peace and Conflict, the Norwich University Peace and War Center, led by its Director, Dr. Travis Morris, collaborated with the Institute of Islamic Studies for an academic visit with the objective of “promoting global understanding and contributing to strengthening ties between respective nations.” Accompanying Dr. Morris were ten (10) officer cadets from Norwich University who immersed themselves to gain a better understanding of Philippine culture, social issues, and the strategic importance of the region. Recognizing the significant role of Muslims in the country, Dr. Morris and his team requested a discussion on Islamic practices, culture, and its role in the Philippines from the Institute of Islamic Studies.

The result of this collaboration was the implementation of a seminar designed with three lectures given by selected faculty members: “History of Islam in the Philippines,” “Beliefs and Practices of Islam in the Philippines” by Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, and “Philippine Muslim Culture” by Assoc. Prof. Nefertari A. Arsad.

To further deepen the understanding of the attendees, the seminar also served as a platform for an exchange and sharing of ideas, questions, and inputs through a question and answer forum moderated by Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of UP IIS. Questions on the Moro struggle, political reforms through the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and its policy on partnerships, Philippine-American relations, West Philippine Sea, among others, were comprehensively addressed by the panel composed of IIS faculty members.

Prof. Wadi emphasized the significance of the discussion, particularly on history, in connecting past events with contemporary issues.

The seminar encapsulates the mission of the Institute not only in fostering deeper understanding among people but also in spurring synergy between the academia and society.

Attendees of the seminar included IIS faculty members, staff, and students, representatives from the UP Muslim Students’ Association, the Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs, and delegates from the Peace and War Center of Norwich University.

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UP CIDS-ISP and UP IIS conduct capacity building for Philippine Muslim history teachers in Tawi-Tawi

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 22 Feb 2024

“History is an important tool for gaining lessons from past events and understanding oneself and culture. It provides an opportunity to widen one’s horizons towards a more inclusive worldview and meaningful life.”

In pursuit of integrating the subject of Philippine Muslim History into the higher education curriculum in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS-ISP), in collaboration with the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), organized a Capacity Building for Philippine Muslim History Teachers on February 17-18, 2024, at Almari Beach Resort in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Initiated in 2020, this capacity-building project, a continuation of the UP CIDS-ISP’s efforts, aimed to map out appropriate content, methodologies, and strategies for teaching Philippine Muslim History (PMH) across the country. This endeavor was prompted by Republic Act 10908, also referred to as “An Act Mandating the Integration of Filipino-Muslim and Indigenous Peoples’ history, Culture, and Identity in the Study of Philippine History in Both Basic and Higher Education.” Additionally, the capacity-building provided a platform to discuss recent developments in PMH, including the Administrative Order known as “650PH in 2023,” which established a steering committee for commemorating the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage, with the Executive Secretary of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as chair.

The event brought together Muslim historians and faculty members from institutions offering Islamic Studies and courses in Philippine Muslim History. It served as an opportunity for participants to share their experiences and challenges in teaching this important subject. Currently, Philippine Muslim History is often integrated into Islamic Studies programs or included briefly within Philippine history courses, limiting its reach among students and teaching opportunities for educators. Uniform syllabi and reference materials are also lacking, hindering cohesive and comprehensive teaching of the subject.

Assistant Professor Darwin J. Absari, Convenor of ISP and resource person for sessions 1 and 3, elaborated on governmental initiatives and stakeholder efforts, including those of UP CIDS-ISP and UP IIS, aimed at addressing these gaps. “Our objective is to mainstream the teaching of PHM, making it accessible to all students across colleges and universities, starting within communities with predominantly Muslim populations,” he emphasized. Therefore, the capacity-building served as a collaborative platform for educators and historians to work towards this goal. Asst. Prof. Absari also provided a list of recommended references and books for teaching PMH, offering insights into the pre-Islamic history and the arrival and spread of Islam in the Philippines.

During her session on course contextualization, Associate Professor Nefertari Arsad, Project Leader of UP CIDS-ISP and faculty member of UP IIS, facilitated discussions on participants’ intents for teaching PMH and the possible curriculum transformations as a result of these intents. She also facilitated decision-making on PMH instructional design based on questions about disciplinal purposes and critical issues.

In the concluding segment of the sessions, participants, under the guidance of the UP CIDS-ISP and UP IIS team, identified future steps towards advancing the integration of Philippine Muslim History in the Philippines. Initial measures entail disseminating insights learned from the capacity-building exercises and initiating dialogues with UP IIS. A subgroup consisting of Muslim historians was established to ensure sustained engagement and collaboration.

Given that the Philippine Muslim History subject involves lessons on Islamic historical landmarks, the second day of the capacity-building featured an educational trip to sites including Sheik Makdum Mosque, Bud Bangao Peak, and Old Chinese Pier. These sites are significant to the Bangsamoro people and the Islamization of the Philippines.

Muslim historians and history teachers from Western Mindanao State University, MSU-Sulu, Sulu State College, Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College, MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, MSU-General Santos, and Mahardika Institute of Technology, Inc. participated in the capacity-building.

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UP IIS Hosts a Forum on Hajj:
Bridging Understanding and Collaboration

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 21 Oct 2023

Hajj, a cornerstone of Islamic faith, entails a pilgrimage to the Ka’bah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, an obligation that all physically and financially capable Muslims must fulfill at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, the practice of Hajj in the Philippines has faced persistent challenges over the years, including administrative and financing issues. As a result, lawmakers have started advocating for legislation to ensure the smooth execution of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Philippines. Several common suggestions have emerged from legislative proposals, such as enabling private entities to engage in Hajj operations and restricting the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to the registration and accreditation of sheikhs exclusively.

Recognizing the need to address these issues, the UP Diliman Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), in collaboration with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs (OPAMA), initiated a dialogue through a forum titled “Administering and Financing the Hajj 2023: Issues, Problems, and Solutions.” This forum, which took place on October 13, 2023, at SR 108, University Hotel, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, aimed to delve into the challenges faced in administering and financing the Hajj pilgrimage.

In the words of Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, the Dean of the Institute, “The Institute of Islamic Studies is mandated to conduct research and studies on Islamic institutions, culture, and traditions of our Muslim brethren. Hence, we organized this public forum to help scrutinize the issues, identify the problems, and potentially propose solutions related to Hajj as an Islamic institution.”

Highlighting the significance of the Institute within the University of the Philippines Diliman, Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II expressed his commitment to supporting initiatives related to the Muslim community: “I’ve had the opportunity to visit Cotabato, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi during my legal work, and those interactions have always been enlightening for me. Now, as the administrator of UP Diliman, I have the capacity to do more. I implore you to let us know what you need, and let us assist you through Dean Wadi and the Institute of Islamic Studies.”

Secretary Almarim Centi Tillah, the Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs, set the tone for the forum: “This forum aims to fortify the Hajj pilgrimage. It is not about passing judgment, be it positive or negative. The consensus, after extensive discussions, is to facilitate improvement. Let us do our job well, not just NCMF but all of us. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that each succeeding Hajj pilgrimage surpasses the previous ones.”

The forum was attended by diverse group of stakeholders, including academicians, financial institutions like the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank, government agencies such as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the House of Representatives, and various sectors directly affected by Hajj operation—among them the NCMF, Philippine Airlines, travel agencies, and the sheikhs leading pilgrim delegations.

The presentations by various speakers significantly contributed to a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding Hajj, and the interactive discussions between UP IIS and the attending groups further enriched the discourse. The proceedings of the forum will be meticulously documented, with the intention of creating a comprehensive record that reflects both the challenges and potential solutions related to the practice of Hajj in the Philippines. This invaluable resource will be made accessible to all participants and stakeholders for future reference and action.

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UPIIS and ICRC hold another round of Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 22 Sep 2023

The similarities between International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Islamic Law are not coincidental. They stem from universal ideals and shared principles, emphasizing the importance of fostering a deeper understanding and effective implementation of these laws.

UP Diliman (UPD) Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II highlighted this point in his message during the welcoming dinner of the three-day certificate course on International Humanitarian Law and Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict (Siyar). He remarked, “I believe this [certificate course] serves as a significant point of convergence and understanding because International Humanitarian Laws are universal. They embody excellent values and principles to comprehend and appreciate, irrespective of our beliefs. What unites all these IHL principles is our shared commitment to human dignity, a value cherished by all.”

UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UPIIS) Dean Professor Julkipli M. Wadi further emphasized the program’s importance. According to him, “It has a rich discipline in Islamic law, referred to as Siyar. It is timely not only in the Philippines but also in other countries, where numerous communities require intervention, especially from human rights groups and humanitarian missions and institutions.”

In light of this, UPIIS is firmly committed to continuing its partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the implementation of the certificate course. This collaboration further reinforces the Institute’s mission to support the Muslim Ummah and, importantly, contributes to UP’s commitment to public service.

Mr. Dany Merhy, Head of Prevention of ICRC Philippines, underscored the significance of achieving these objectives in his opening speech. He emphasized that “dialogue, especially between humanitarian organizations and religious leaders, can establish a solid common ground and convey powerful messages to communities, armed carriers , and decision-makers.”

These objectives were further addressed through a series of lectures and activities led by resource speakers from both UPIIS and ICRC during this year’s certificate course, held from September 19 to September 21, 2023, at the Oblation Lounge, University Hotel, UP Diliman, Quezon City. This extension project aims to promote understanding and knowledge of the rules of IHL and Islamic Law, particularly those relevant to armed conflict, and to explore their compatibility. It also provides participants with an opportunity to engage in discourse, deepening their collaboration in safeguarding the lives and dignity of victims of armed violence.

Throughout the course, various speakers from UPIIS and ICRC covered topics such as ICRC’s mission in the Philippines, dialogue on IHL and Islamic Law, International Islamic Law, the Islamic Law of War (“Siyar”), and the relationship between IHL and Human Rights Law. Additional lectures addressed conflict classification, protection of individuals and objects under IHL, preserving dignity for the deceased, combating sexual violence, and the protection of detainees and prisoners of war in Islamic Law of War.

The final day of the course focused on humanitarian law and assistance initiatives by Muslim institutions in the Philippines. Topics included healthcare worker protection, ICRC healthcare initiatives, conflicts in the Bangsamoro region, contemporary challenges in implementing IHL, and engaging with decision-makers on IHL and Islamic Law. It concluded with a group discussion moderated by Prof. Darwin Absari, UPIIS faculty, allowing participants to express their thoughts and insights on effectively engaging with decision-makers on IHL and Islamic Law related to armed conflict. Among the major recommendations put forth by the participants was the continuous conduct of certificate courses with longer durations and broader participation, including non-Muslims.

This year’s certificate course drew twenty-five participants from various regions, including Davao, Cotabato, Basilan, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Cebu, Butuan, and Manila. Participants represented government organizations, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, academia, non-governmental organizations, various BARMM agencies, non-state actors, Islamic scholars, and the revert Muslim movement.