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.
“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.
“We wrote this book about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by giving it an Islamic perspective and situating it in the armed conflict in Mindanao. An Islamic perspective is an approach that begins with the Qu’ran–views issues and matters from the tafsir and ta’wil. It is an approach that all Muslims must use whether they are writing something, doing research, solving a problem, deciding an issue, legislating law, or writing or adapting rules.”
These are some inspiring words from the book’s overview by Atty. Mehol K. Sadain during the launching of “Islam and International Humanitarian Law: Observance and Practice in the Philippine Muslim Conflict Experience” on August 31, 2022, at the Virata Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
Atty. Sadain, the Head Writer of the book and professorial lecturer of the Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS), together with two other faculty members, Assoc. Prof. Macrina A. Morados and Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari authored the book intending to provide a better understanding of the conflict situation in the southern Philippines and the extent of the compliance with International Humanitarian Law and Islamic Law principles by the actors in the conflict. The authors also spoke of its significance as a humble contribution to the academe and the Muslim Ummah.
In his book review, Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of IIS, further emphasized its value, saying the book provides practical groundings in understanding conflict society. More importantly, it is an essential contribution to the literature on IHL in the Philippines as it “underscores salient features of IHL that reveal some consistencies with Islamic Law about peace and war and other humanitarian principles and conflict-related and post-conflict issues.” Mr. Aminul Islam, ICRC Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, also expressed in his closing remarks that the book was the first study that looks at IHL and Islamic Law as experienced in actual conflict situations of Muslims in the Philippines.
The book was an offshoot of the Institute’s partnership with ICRC which began in 2009. Present during the launch were ICRC officials, Mr. Dany Merhy (Head of Prevention), Mr. Aminul Islam, and Mr. Rolando Modina (Political Adviser), two BARMM members, Atty. Jose Lorena and Atty. Nabil Tan, commissioner and spoke person of the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos, Comm. Yusoph Mando and former Comm. Aisha Flores-Malayang, and Philippine Ulama Congress Organization officials, Ustadz Luqman bin Usman Imam and Mahid Mangondaya.
Copies of the book are available at the Institute of Islamic Studies office located at 2/F ISSI building, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Quezon City.
The UP Institute of Islamic Studies will launch Islam and International Humanitarian Law: Observance and Practice in the Philippine Muslim Experience book authored by Mehol K. Sadain, Macrina A. Morados, and Darwin J. Absari on August 31, 2022, at 10:00 am at the 2/F Virata Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman.
“This study provides practical groundings in understanding society in conflict. It also reveals the dynamics of state and non-state actors as shown particularly in their policies and programs on civilians and vulnerable sectors. It underscores salient features of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that reveal some consistencies with Islamic Law about peace and war and other humanitarian principles and conflict-related and post-conflict issues. It also provides a backdrop of Philippine Muslim South’s conflict experiences, particularly the impact on women, the elderly, and children.” -Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies.
For inquiries about the book, send us a private message through our FB page or email us at iis@up.edu.ph. Due to the health protocols that have to be observed, this book launch is by invitation only. InshaAllah, there can be a public book launch once the health situation warrants.
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