Author: Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad

UP IIS and Islamic Psychology College in Turkey Explore Future Collaboration

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 7 Nov 2024

“Stress is like a cancer. It beats people, defeats them, and makes them very tired, sick, and depressed. Because of all this, efforts, money, abilities, and competencies are wasted, and we must do something about it,” said Dr. Muhammad Mahmud Mustafa during a lecture held on November 7, 2024, via Zoom and organized by the Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and American Open University. Facilitated by Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, the Dean of UP IIS, the meeting aimed to enhance the knowledge of IIS faculty and staff on Islamic Psychology and to explore potential collaborations with the Islamic Psychology College (IPC).

Dr. Mustafa, who serves as the Dean of IPC, is also the founder of the Humanitarian Association for Research Support in Psychological Guidance in Turkey and the Dr. Muhammad Mustafa Center of Psychotherapy in Istanbul. He has authored nearly 50 books and more than 10 peer-reviewed scientific papers, in addition to supervising several master’s and doctoral theses. IPC operates as an online educational and research institution affiliated with the American Open University (AOU) under administrative accreditation. The collaboration between UP IIS and IPC will be facilitated smoothly through an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UP IIS and AOU.

During the meeting, Dr. Mustafa highlighted fundamental principles of Islamic Psychology, emphasizing the inherent psychological stability of individuals and the need to address exceptions that lead to disorders. He discussed the role of psychological support in enhancing academic performance, marriage, and general relationships, aligning these practices with the principles of conventional psychology. Additionally, he stressed the importance of integrating the Qur’an and Sunnah as foundational sources of knowledge in the field.

Dr. Mustafa and Prof. Wadi also outlined areas of potential collaboration to further the development of Islamic Psychology. These include recommending students interested in specializing in Islamic Psychology and involving UP IIS as part of a “Review Committee” to evaluate IPC students’ research outputs, such as publications, theses, and dissertations. Another focus is identifying MA students or faculty members from UP IIS who are proficient in Arabic and English and have an interest in Islamic Psychology to form the pioneering group of Muslim Filipino academics who will teach the IPC curriculum in the Philippines. Furthermore, they proposed recommending research papers authored by UP IIS students, faculty, and staff for publication under IPC’s research and publication initiatives.

Both institutions expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership, anticipating strengthened academic, research, and publication efforts. This collaboration holds great promise for advancing Islamic Psychology and fostering a deeper understanding of the discipline in the Philippines.

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UP IIS IQRA Program Features Seminar on Thesis Writing

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 3 Oct 2024

As part of its Internal Quality Resilience Agenda (IQRA), the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, supported by the University Library, hosted a capacity-building activity titled “Seminar on Thesis Writing Manual, Turnitin, and Citation Styles” on September 30, 2024, in Room 303, Virata Hall, UP Institute of Small-Scale Industries Building, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

The seminar aimed to equip Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (MAIS) students with essential skills for their thesis-writing journey. Ms. Ma. Zain Daclis, Senior Administrative Staff of the Research, Publication, and Extension Division and one of the ARUGA counselors of the Institute, explained that the seminar is part of the ARUGA (Academic Research Utilization for Graduate Advancement) initiative, designed to empower MAIS students by enhancing their research abilities and fostering collaboration. ARUGA is complemented by BRIDGE (Building Resilience, Initiative, and Development for Students, Graduates, and Experts), a series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at skill development.

Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of UP IIS, underscored the significance of research expertise and the technical tools that simplify academic work. He expressed gratitude to the resource speakers who shared their knowledge with students.

The seminar featured two resource speakers: Asst. Prof. Yhna Therese Santos, College Secretary of the UP School of Library and Information Science (UP SLIS), who presented on “Thesis Writing Manual,” and Ms. Dianne Angela V. Villavicencio, College Librarian at the University Library of UP Diliman, who covered “Citation Style Guide and Turnitin.”

Asst. Prof. Santos outlined the core components of a thesis, including structure, formatting, writing style, citation practices, familiarity with citation styles, use of reference management tools, and adherence to copyright standards. She described thesis writing as a process beginning with a research question and concluding with data analysis, emphasizing that good writing practices and the consultation of publication manuals are essential throughout this process.

Ms. Villavicencio, the second resource speaker, discussed plagiarism, citation, referencing, and the ethical use of Turnitin and Mendeley. With the rise of artificial intelligence, she defined plagiarism as “the process or practice of using another person’s ideas or work and presenting it as one’s own” and highlighted the importance of academic integrity, especially at UP. She encouraged students to ethically integrate AI by following proper citation and referencing guidelines, regularly reviewing their work, and avoiding reliance solely on AI tools.

Attendees included UP IIS faculty, staff, and students, along with participants from other UP Diliman units.

Through the implementation of IQRA, UP IIS actively contributes to the University of the Philippines’ pursuit of academic and research excellence.

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UP IIS and ICRC Hold 5th Installation of Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law Related to Armed Conflict

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 29 Sep 2024

The relevance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) alongside Islamic law is increasingly significant. As noted by Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, “We must be well-equipped in this field, not only due to its necessity here in the Philippines but also because of the urgent need for a deep understanding of international relations and Islamic studies, particularly in light of the ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world.”

This message was delivered during the preliminary event of the three-day “Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict (Siyar)” held from September 24-26, 2024, in Room 301, Virata Hall, Institute of Small-Scale Industries Building, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Now in its fifth installation, the certificate course is organized in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was honored by the presence of its new Head of Operations, Mr. Pierre-Yves Barrea. In his opening remarks, Mr. Barrea expressed his gratitude to UP IIS for its continuous partnership and acknowledged the participation and support from the 26 participants coming from Zamboanga, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Butuan, Baguio, and Manila.

This certificate course, attended by a diverse group of participants, aims to enhance understanding between International Humanitarian Law and Islamic Law in armed conflict. It seeks to integrate relevant Islamic Law modules into university and Madaris curricula, addressing the challenges faced in conflict-affected Mindanao. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen cooperation between Islamic institutions, scholars, and the ICRC while emphasizing the safety of medical and religious personnel, as well as humanitarian workers. The initiative encourages open discussions to find common ground on neutral humanitarian actions and to enhance collaboration among humanitarian actors in the region.

To achieve these objectives, resource persons covered a wide range of topics related to IHL and Islamic Law (Siyar). On Day 1, speakers included Ms. Layal Neaimeh, who provided an “Overview of ICRC’s Work with Religious Circles”; Atty. Gabriel Calleja, who discussed “Introduction to International Humanitarian Law”; Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, who introduced “Islamic Law of War (Siyar)”; Ms. Kelisiana Thynne, who spoke on “IHL and Human Rights Law” and “Classification of Conflict and Its Legal Implications”; and Assoc. Prof. Macrina A. Morados, who addressed “Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict.”

The discussions continued on Day 2 with Atty. Gabriel Calleja presented on “Persons and Objects Protected under IHL: Case Studies”; Ms. Layal Neaimeh discussed “Protection and Respect for the Dead and ICRC’s Work to Preserve the Dignity of the Dead”; Aleem Naguib Taher focused on “Protection of the Deceased and Burial Management in Islam”; Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani covering “Protection of Civilians in Islamic Law of War and Its General Principles”; Ms. Marianne Legaspi addressing “Addressing Sexual Violence in the ICRC”; Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani again discussing “Protection of Detainees in Islamic Law of Armed Conflict”; and Ms. Silvia Aquino talking about “ICRC’s Action in Detention.”

On the final day of the course, Dr. Kristina Facelo-Datu Ramos discussed the “Protection of Health Care Personnel and Humanitarian Workers in a Conflict Situation: A Study from the Philippines”; Ms. Layal Neaimeh presented on the “ICRC Health Care in Danger Initiative”; Datu Mussolini S. Lidasan spoke on the “Role of IHL in Creating Conditions for Peace in the Bangsamoro Region”; Ms. Kelisiana Thynne discussed “Contemporary Challenges for the Implementation of IHL”; and Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi addressed “Contemporary Challenges Related to Islamic Law of War (Siyar).”

Other activities during the course included daily recaps by participant groups, video presentations by the ICRC, open forums, and group and panel discussions.

Sharing a common mission to promote peace, UP IIS and the ICRC continue to collaborate through academic and extension efforts. Through initiatives like the Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law, both institutions empower participants to navigate the challenges of conflict while respecting international humanitarian standards and Islamic principles, ultimately working towards a more peaceful and just society.

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Transforming the Narrative on Menstrual Poverty: Insights from Dr. Fatimah Al-Attas’ Research

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 10 Aug 2024

“Not all women who menstruate have the same experiences or resources to manage Menstrual Hygiene effectively. Their unique socio-cultural, religious, and political contexts play significant roles in shaping these experiences” (Bobel, 2020). This powerful statement was quoted by Dr. Fatima Al-Zahra Al-Attas as she commenced her lecture titled “Misplaced Shame: The Case of Menstrual Poverty in Malaysia” on August 5, 2024, in Room 300, Virata Hall, Institute of Small-Scale Industries Building, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Dr. Al-Attas’s lecture focused on her research on menstrual poverty—the inability to afford or access menstrual health management essentials. Using shame as the framework for her study, she discussed several critical issues affecting Malaysian women: limited access to appropriate hygiene facilities, restricted ability to purchase menstrual products, cultural taboos surrounding menstruation, and insufficient public knowledge on menstruation-related issues. “These issues reflect broader inequalities through economic and gender lenses,” Dr. Al-Attas noted.

To bridge these gaps, Dr. Al-Attas highlighted the importance of social actors in reshaping the narrative through public sociology. For example, she pointed to the Malaysian government’s positive responses, such as the development of policies and programs targeting menstrual poverty, as a significant way forward. She also recommended ongoing governmental support for research, community outreach, and publications on the subject, along with the media’s role in raising public awareness and fostering informed opinion.

The lecture gathered gender and women’s advocates from academia and civil society who participated as reactors and participants. Asst. Prof. Sabrina Laya S. Gacad of the UP College of Social Work and Community Development, and Dr. Cheery D. Orozco of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies – Islamic Studies Program, highlighted the cultural parallels between Malaysia and the Philippines concerning menstruation issues. Dr. Orozco suggested considering “honor” as an alternative framework to “shame” in discussing menstruation, providing a fresh perspective on the discourse.

Dr. Al-Attas’s lecture highlighted menstrual poverty as an urgent, gendered societal concern. In the last part of her presentation, she emphasized sociology’s vital role as a catalyst by reshaping narratives through open conversations, rigorous research, and continuous dialogue.

Looking ahead, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) is committed to integrating a gender and development component into its research and extension program, prioritizing women’s rights and empowerment within the Muslim in the Philippines context.

Dr. Al-Attas serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman Kulliyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), the largest faculty at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). She is also the Coordinator of the Unit for Social Issues and Development Advocacy and Research (USIDAR) at IIUM, and an Associate Fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UACDS) at the Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Business and Economics.

News & Archives

Celebrating a New Generation of Scholars: UP Institute of Islamic Studies Holds 34th Recognition Ceremony

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 30 Jul 2024

The University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) celebrated the achievements of its new batch of Master of Arts in Islamic Studies graduates during the 34th Recognition Ceremony on July 27, 2024, at Virata Hall, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City.

With the theme “Pagtammat: Bagong Simula at Malikhaing Paraan sa Pagtuklas ng Katotohanan at Paglingkod sa Bayan at Sangkatauhan”, the ceremony highlighted the graduates’ journeys as they embark on new paths in the pursuit of knowledge and service. “It is a reminder that we will engage in a renewed endeavor to seek truth and fulfill our duty to the nation and humanity,” stated Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of UP IIS.

Joining Dean Wadi this year was Hon. Almarim Centi Tillah, Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs, who served as the guest of honor. In his inspirational address, Hon. Tillah shared his six-decade-long advocacy for strengthening Muslim Filipino institutions nationwide, stemming from his roles as a student leader, organizer, public servant, and now Presidential Adviser. He encouraged the graduates to return to their communities, emphasizing, “It is there where they are most needed.”

Among the graduates honored this year were Sittie Aifat A. Ali, Paul Mark C. Andres, Ali Imran R. Arsad, Sittie Nur S. Cali, and Abdul Majid P. Marohombsar. Reflecting on their journeys, the graduates expressed their gratitude to the Institute for fostering an academic environment that was “both stimulating and challenging.” They also thanked their professors for showing that “kindness and intelligence can go hand in hand,” as they shape a new generation of Muslim scholars “versed in both social sciences and Islamic studies.” They acknowledged that graduating from the Institute meant carrying forward “the standards of UP and the values of Islam.”

Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, a distinguished professor at UP IIS, also shared words of inspiration with the graduates, connecting his message to the significance of “pagtammat,” a term denoting the completion of the Qur’an, particularly through memorization, as practiced in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Just as pagtammat implies fulfillment, graduation from UP IIS marks a milestone in the graduates’ educational journeys. He reminded them to “honor the blessings of pagtammat and continue to uphold the values of the University and the Institute in their pursuits.”

In addition to the graduates, UP IIS recognized other students who have excelled academically through university and college scholar certifications. Shari’ah Bar 2024 passers who are students and alumni of the Institute were also honored during the event.

The annual recognition ceremony at UP IIS celebrates student achievements and brings together the UP IIS community, united in their commitment to the greater good of the Ummah—a mission that extends far beyond the Institute’s walls.

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