Author: zaindaclis

Works at UP Institute of Islamic Studies

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News & Archives

PagTuhan Bags Finalist Award

UP IIS Assistant Professor Darwin J. Absari’s book “PagTuhan: The Tausug Spiritual Tradition” was selected as one of the finalists in the Best Book in Spirituality and Theology category by the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) and National Book Development Board (NBDB) during the 40th National Book Awards.

“PagTuhan” originally started as a thesis by Asst. Prof. Absari for his Master of Arts in Islamic Studies degree at the UP Institute of Islamic Studies. In 2015, it received the National Book Development Trust Fund and was subsequently transformed from a thesis into a book. The book was later published by the UP Press in 2021. Its main purpose is to introduce readers to the Tausug mystics, their identity, and the hidden knowledge they possess, which is largely unknown to non-Tausug people today.

Other finalists in the same category include “Sports in the Philippines” by Fr. Edgardo D. Alauri, OP, SThD from the University of Santo Tomas, “The Filipino Christ and the Historical Jesus: Toward a Filipino Christology” by Michael Demetrius H. Asis from the Ateneo de Manila University Press, and “Handumanan (Remembrance)” by Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR from the Claretarian Communications Foundation, Inc., who won the Best Book award this year.

The National Book Award recognizes the most significant book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines. The 40th National Book Awards focused on titles published in 2021 and received 213 nominations across categories, including Literary, Non-Literary, and Design, in English, Filipino, and Ilocano. Out of the 100 finalists, 29 were selected as winners.

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Events News & Archives

1st National Shari’ah Summit

For the first time since the establishment of the Shari’ah court system in the country, the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines organized the 1st National Shari’ah Summit, held from March 5 to 6, 2023, at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

The event, themed “Forging the Role of Shari’ah in the National Legal Framework,” offered valuable insight into the marginalization and access to justice faced by an underserved group. It emphasized the importance of exploring their legal history and social/institutional barriers.

More specifically, the summit served as a platform “to equip judges, professors, lawyers, and counselors-at-law with the basic principles of Shari’ah, facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices on Shari’ah, and explore key challenges and opportunities on strengthening the support of Shari’ah justice in the Philippines legal and judicial framework” (Philippine Judicial Academy, Supreme Court of the Philippines, 2023).

As an academic institution offering Shari’ah courses and upholding its role as an integral part of the Philippine judicial system, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) strongly supported this event by sending some of its faculty members, lecturers, students, and alumni to attend.

Associate Professor Macrina A. Morados, a UP IIS faculty member and practicing Shari’ah Counselor-at-Law, was one of the Resource Speakers who discussed “Women in Islam”. Also in attendance were UP IIS lecturer, Coun. Luqman Imam, former UP IIS lecturer Ms. Aisha Flores-Malayang, UP IIS students Judge Jamel Mamutuk, Atty. Nash Marohomsalic, Atty. Abdul Aziz Ishmael, Atty. Abdul Majid P. Marohombsar, Sheikh Mahid B. Mangondaya, Mr. Mohammad Rayyan Domado, Ms. Sittie Aifat Ali, and Mr. Nur-Jihad Abbas, as well as UP IIS alumni Atty. Norhassan Curo, Ms. Zeni-Linda Nandu, Ms. Sittie Sania Lomondot, Mr. Yassin Maute, and Ms. Johayra Datlan.

The summit enabled them to share valuable insights and input to address issues on the Philippine Shari’ah legal and judicial system and acquire vital knowledge to help strengthen support for Shari’ah in the Philippines. Moreover, their attendance significantly contributed to UP IIS’s mission of engaging in local and international discussions concerning Muslims in the Philippines for the benefit of the Ummah.

The 1st National Shari’ah Summit was spearheaded by Supreme Court Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and Justice Japar B. Dimaampao and supported by Suporta sa Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) and Governance in Justice (GoJust).

 

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Events News & Archives

Webinar: “Qur’an and Contemporary Islamic Studies”

Webinar Invitation | The UP Institute of Islamic Studies in partnership with the International Center for Social Research, Peace and Development – Philippines, will hold a Zoom Webinar dubbed “Qur’an and Contemporary Islamic Studies” on December 6, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with Dr. Jasser Auda as Lecturer. Dr. Jasser Auda is a known Muslim scholar and Professor of Islamic Law. Presently, he is the President of Maqasid Institute Global and teaches Islamic Studies in Canada. One of his valuable contributions to Islam is authoring the Maqasid Al-Shariah book.

To join the webinar, kindly register at https://bit.ly/IISWebinar

Categories
News & Archives

UP IIS and ICRC holds 3-day Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict

“Islamic Law and International Humanitarian Law related to armed conflict must be taught in public and private schools in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.” This was one of the common realizations of the participants who attended the three-day certificate course entitled “International Humanitarian Law and Islamic Law related to the Armed Conflict” on September 20 to 22, 2022, at the University Hotel, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

With the aim of raising awareness of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Islamic Law, selected twenty-five religious and Muslim leaders affiliated with various religious organizations, civil society, academe, and other Muslim institutions from Mindanao and Metro Manila participated. During the course, major topics on IHL and Islamic Law were discussed by local scholars and ICRC’s foreign experts.

Atty. Jeffrey Sison (ICRC’s Legal Adviser of ICRC) introduced IHL and classified conflicts with its legal implications, while Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi (Dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies) presented an introduction to Islamic Law on War. ICRC’s Regional Advisor for Islamic Law and Jurisprudence, Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani discussed how both laws shared similar principles especially in protecting civilians and non-combatants during war. He identified contemporary challenges impacting these two laws particularly related to armed conflict. Further discussion on Islam’s protection of detainees was undertaken by Novriantoni Kaharudin (ICRC’s Program Manager for Humanitarian Affairs). How these laws are observed and practiced by Muslims in the Philippines was articulated by Atty. Mehol K. Sadain (main author of “Islamic Law and International Humanitarian Law: Observance and Practice in the Philippine Muslim Conflict Experience). Protection of health care personnel and humanitarian workers in conflict situations in the Philippines was described by the Chief of Medical Professional Staff and spokesperson of Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Dr. John O. Maliga.  Dr. Pamela Muldong, ICRC’s Acting Health Coordinator explained ICRC’s health care in danger initiative and its global approach focusing on the Philippines.

ICRC’s Head of Legal Georgia Hinds discussed similarities and differences as well as the applicability of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law by citing some case studies. Former NCMF Commissioner Aisha Flores-Malayang presented on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, while ICRC Head of Operation Dorsa Nazemi Salman elaborated on how this is being addressed in ICRC. Protection Coordinator Mariko Ivkov discussed ICRC’s work in preserving the dignity of the dead.

The Certificate Course was jointly organized by ICRC-Philippines and UP Institute of Islamic Studies as part of their continuing partnership in promoting IHL and Islamic Law. With various group activities, case studies, and panel sessions, the participants were able to discuss valuable inputs and reflections on the promotion of IHL and Islamic Law in their respective communities.