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Category: News & Archives
This year, the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus is hosting the “Lakbayan 2017” composed of national minorities from the Cordillera, Central and Sothern Luzon, Mindoro, Panay and Mindanao. The delegates of this Lakbayan will be staying at the Kampuhan along CP Garcia Avenue and Jacinto, UP Diliman Campus from August 31 to September 22, 2017
Since UP Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) has a standing MOU with the ICRC-Philippines, The UP-IIS in coordination with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC-Philippines) spearheaded a seminar on “International Humanitarian Law and its interplay with Islamic Law” on September 13, 2017 at Balay Kalinaw, UP-Diliman, Quezon City.
The objective of the seminar is to educate the participants regarding the basic functions and mandate of ICRC in the Philippines and how to access ICRC services, discussion on the convergence of Islamic Law and IHL and also a lecture on the basic principles of human rights. Furthermore, the Institute of Islamic Studies students and faculty members warmly welcomed the delegates of Lakbayan 2017 during the event.
The program commence on introduction of International Humanitarian Law and its fundamental principles by Atty. Evecar Cruz-Ferrer (ICRC Legal Advisor). The participants attentively listened and participated during the discussion. On the other hand, Sheikh. Loderson Gustaham (ICRC Consultant) discussed the matter of laws related to armed conflict in the context of Islam. Sheik Gustaham shows commonalities between the rules of Islam in engaging into war and the International Humanitarian Law. He highlighted in his presentation the Islamic principles in war -that is to protect the civilians as much as possible and to show mercy and compassion as enjoined by Islam even if the war is declared to Muslims.
Furthermore, the sharing of experience among the selected delegates of the Lakbayan 2017 catch the ears of the event. Ms. Aila Ebrahim from Marawi shared her experience and expressed her sympathy on the on-going Marawi siege. On her speech, she asked the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) action on the issue of continues air strike in Marawi and the arms and weapons used to control the situation in Marawi. Also she asked to stop the airstrike in Marawi and to finally end the war.
In a nutshell, the seminar successfully achieved its main objectives. The participants were educated about the basic functions and mandates of ICRC in the Philippines and how they can access the ICRC services. The most important is, they become aware of their basic Human Rights under the principle of IHL and on the Islamic law. Moreover, the seminar gives them avenue to express, interact and engage into dialogue with the speakers and other participants.
One of the highlights of the forum was the distribution of prayer carpets (sajadah) to the male participants and hijab (viel) to the female participants from the IIS partner Engr. Sadoun Alowayesh and wife Ms. Zainab Hainto. The ICRC sponsored the snacks and dinner of the participants.
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Commemorating Jabidah Massacre
The killing of some Tausug recruits in Corregidor, Bataan in March 1968 became known as the Jabidah Massacre. It is one of the important events in the history of contemporary Moro struggle for self-determination as it sparked the formation of the Moro National Liberation Front. Every year in March, the said incident is being commemorated by various Muslim and even non-Muslim groups in the country.
On March 17, 2017 at 2 PM, the Institute of Islamic Studies of the University of the Philippines in collaboration with the SANDUGO Movement of the Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Right to Self-Determination and the Moro-Christian People’s Alliance (MCPA) held a public forum at Bulwagang Salam, Romulo Hall. Dean Morados formally opened the forum with a remarks thanking those who participated and the partner organizers.
Though it was attended by small audience mostly students of UP Islamic Studies, the forum succeeded in highlighting the challenges of the continuing Bangsamoro Struggle for Self-Determination. The Lecturers, former Dean Prof. Julkipli Wadi tackled the story behind Jabidah and what happened next until the rise of the Moro National Liberation Front, and co-chairperson of SANDUGO Mr. Jerome Succor Aba discussed the historical message and challenges of the current struggle of the Moro people.
The small audience actively participated during the open forum. Former Tawi-Tawi governor Al-Tillah recounted his personal history at the height of Jabidah controversy in Manila. Some students of UP Islamic studies having realized the complexity of current moro struggle realized the need for the Moro groups to unite asked for a mechanism of achieving unity.
The forum ended with a closing remark by the UP MSA Chairperson Mr. Ben Balt followed by the song presentation of SANDUGO members.
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World Hijab Day Forum
For the second time on February 1, 2017, the Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines, Diliman in cooperation with the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos, Manila Human Development Inc., Wahdatul Asabiyyah and Muslim Student Association joined commemoration of the World Hijab Day by holding an interfaith forum on Women’s Rights in the Light of Islam. The World Hijab Day (WHD) was founded by Nazma Khan who came to US from Bangladesh at the age of eleven. Having experienced discrimination of being a hijabi Muslim, she came up with the idea of a hijab day where non-Muslim women are invited to wear the hijab and experience hijab themselves to promote religious tolerance and understanding. In 2013, the first World Hijab Day was celebrated in the US. Since then until its recent commemoration on February 1, 2017, the increasing number of sympathizers and supporters from around the world joined the said event.
Similarly, the forum conducted by UP IIS was attended by more than 200 Muslims and non-Muslims from both government and non-government organizations. Non-Muslim participants have accepted the challenge of wearing the free hijab for the day. Free hijabs were donated by Engr. Sadoun Alowayesh and his wife Ms. Zainab Hainto. The forum was strongly supported by the University of the Philippines, some colleges and offices like Office of the University Registrar, College of Education, and College of Economics, College of Science, College of Mass Communication, and College of Social Work and Development participated the Hijab Challenge. Students of Islamic Institute went to their respectively colleges and taught them how to put on the hijab, while some students from these colleges went to attend the forum.
Indeed the University of the Philippines remains to be not only a community of intellectuals but also of religious tolerant where Filipino cultural diversity is celebrated, where people of different faiths find the sense of belongingness as family.
Featured Hijabi
Today, Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid’l Adha which corresponds to the 10th day of Dhul al-Hijjah, the last month in the Hijrah Calendar (Islamic). The occassion of Eid’l Adha is very important to the Muslims. It commemorates the greatest act of obedience and faith exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam) or Abraham in the Bible. This is the culmination of the Hajj rituals which is 5th in the pillars of Islam. Muslims who can afford to perform the Hajj are required to do it at least once in their lifetime. However, those who cannot afford it God will not hold them accountable. Based on the Sunnah (Tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) Eid’l Adha prayer commences earlier than the Eid’l Fitr congregation. In the Philippines, majority of the Eid congregations start their prayer around 7:00 o’clock in the morning.
Just like the Eid’l Fitr, this day is looked forward to as an occasion of festivity and sharing. It goes beyond family affairs as Muslims see it as an opportunity to hold community get-together activities characterized by the ritual of Udhiya or Qurban. Udhiya or Qurban is the slaughtering of goat or cow in commemoration of the act of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Affluent families are enjoined to slaughter goat or cow and part of the meat will be distributed to the needy families. In a typical Muslim communities, it is common to see families inviting guests to partake the Eid food during family festivity or “kanduri.” This occasion is best used to strengthen family ties and friendship as it entail to emulate the values of forgiveness, love and compassion. Among the younger ones, parlor games of various kinds are held to entertain the children.
Reflecting upon the Quránic significance of Eid’l Adha, this occasion reminds us of the spiritual connection between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The common reference of this connection is Prophet Ibrahim (AS). From Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Sarah born Isaac from whom the lineage of Jacob and the 12 tribes down to Prophet David traced their descent. And from the lineage of David came Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, from Hajar the other wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) born Ismail considered as the Father of the Arab nations and to whom Prophet Muhammad’s family descent originated.
The Hajj and the Feast of Sacrifice
The Holy Qur’an narrates that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) saw in his dream, God commanding him to sacrifice his first-born child Ismail. This was God’s way to test Prophet Ibrahim’s faith and obedience. Without hesitation, Abraham obeyed God’s command. But God in His unfathomable love towards his faithful servant ransomed Ismail by sending a lamb for the great sacrifice (Qur’an 37:101-102). Surely, this act of obedience elevated Prophet Ibrahim’s status as the “father of faith” a claim both affirmed in the Islamic and Christian narratives (Qur’an 2:124).
However, when Sara gave birth to Isaac she asked Abraham to send off Hajar and Ismail away from them. Hajar and Ismail’s journey brought them to a place known as Al-Hijaz, the present day Saudi Arabia specifically in Makkah. Hajar was so desperate when she found out that all their water was gone and Ismail was tremendously suffering from severe thirst and hunger. Hajar ran to and fro in between two hills, Safah and Marwah hoping to find any water. But to her dismay, no one was around to help them. Hajar returned to her son and prayed in desperation. The account said that she heard a voice commanding her to strike her foot on the ground. She obeyed the voice and to her amazement from the ground came out the gushing water which later called Zamzam well. God answered the prayer of a depressed mother, Hajar.
The Quránic account further added that when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) visited Ismail, they built the Kaábah as a symbol of monotheism and the worship of the One true God. The Ka’abah is the black cube located at the center of Masjidul Haram in Makkah. From then on many people visited the Kaábah through an annual pilgrimage. However, the monotheistic nature of the Kaábah was eventually corrupted. In fact before Islam, the Kaábah housed more than 360 idols. It was during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that the Kaábah was restored to its original purpose.
Looking beyond the Rituals
Today, millions of Muslims all over the world go to Makkah to perform the annual pilgrimage. This ocean of humanity shares common spiritual experience affirming equality and universal brotherhood among people of different races, colors, nationalities and cultures. Facing the Ka’abah one sets aside his nationality and personal status to be subsumed under the banner of Islam, one God, one people. It is where Islam literally destroys the concept of racism.
Another important lesson that we can reflect upon from the Hajj ritual is the commemoration of the act of Hajar. The running to and fro in between the hills of Safah and Marwah in the Hajj rituals today is actually a re-enactment of Hajar’s desperation in looking for water. God directly intervened by providing the Zamzam well which eventually shaped the landscape of the future growth of Islam. No world religions, like Islam commemorates a woman’s act in a religious ritual like that of Hajj. Hence, Islam reinforces woman’s value in the realm of spirituality. And in a society perceived to be largely patriarchal lies the influence of a woman. Islam upholds woman’s dignity which includes her ability to chart her own destiny in accordance to the will of God.
Finally another important ritual that I want to highlight as a source of reflection to all Muslims is the ritual of stoning Satan at Jamarat. Each Pilgrim symbolically throws stones to ward off Satan who tried to tempt Prophet Ibrahim (AS) from obeying God’s command. But to my opinion, this ritual assumes new meaning. Remembering my experience at Jamarat, each stone that I threw symbolizes the negative traits like jealousy, greediness, and love for worldly things which are the real Satan inside us. And one of the great benefits of the performance of Hajj is that one’s sins are cleansed and God promises forgiveness. It accords new life and new beginning. In Islam, struggling to be better Muslims is the greatest Jihad. Eid’l Adha promises new beginning and enjoining each believer to shun away from sinfulness. Following the greatest example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is the core essence of our celebration today.
We never forget our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world especially those afflicted with wars, hunger and sufferings from all types of discrimination due to the rising Islamophobia in our midst. Despite all these sufferings, we can always find reasons to celebrate this great Eid. God loves us all.
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