Category: News & Archives

IIS Hosts 2025 ‘Eid al-Adha Prayer

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 18 Jun 2025

UP Institute of Islamic Studies held ‘Eid al-Adha prayer at And Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City on June 6, 2025.

Engr. Ossama Al-Azzouni, the founder and president of the International Center for Social Research, Peace, and Development (ICSRPD) and trustee of the American Open University (AOU), delivered the ‘Eid sermon. He highlighted the significance of humility, living by example, and service to the community—in which, to him, are essential attributes of what it means to be a Muslim.

He believed that being a Muslim is more than just knowing the religion but making sense of it by “living by example” and creating a positive impact in the community.

He also reminded everyone to remain humble in their social engagement as everything comes from ALLAH (SWT); hence, success of such engagement should not be claimed by anyone, since in the final analysis, s/he owns nothing.

On Hajj, carrying such attribute of humility boils down to developing “God consciousness” and “sacrifice” as exemplified with the selfless act of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Prophet Ishmael (AS).

Slaughtering or sacrificing sheep, goat, cow, and camel became part of the Hajj tradition called qurban and popularized in the community through “meat sharing.”

Towards the end of his sermon, Engr. Al-Azzouni recognized the current condition of the Palestinians and offered prayers for them. He also highlighted their sacrifice, suffering, and resilience.

‘Eid al-Adha prayer was followed with a refreshment prepared by the IIS students, staff, faculty members, alumni, and volunteers. Some congregants also brought food to share with others. Indeed, the activity was a display of colorful fabrics, tasty delicacies, gleaming faces, and shared humanity.

News & Archives

Seminar-Workshop on Navigating Realities in Muslim Education Concludes in Zamboanga City

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 12 Jun 2025

The two-day seminar-workshop titled “Navigating Realities in Muslim Education” successfully concluded last June 5, 2025, at Hall C, Ateneo de Zamboanga University Lantaka Campus. Organized by the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies–Islamic Studies Program (UP CIDS-ISP) and the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), the event brought together key stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting Muslim education at the grassroots and school levels.

The first day, held on June 3, opened with presentations from academic and government resource persons. Dr. Hja. Sarah Lucman Handang, Education Supervisor II and Regional Madrasah Education Program Regional Supervisor of DepEd Region IX, led discussions on the Department of Education’s Madrasah Education Program. She was joined by Dr. Nefertari Arsad, Project Leader of UP CIDS-ISP, faculty member at UP IIS, and member of CHED’s Technical Panel for Islamic Studies, who spoke about the Commission on Higher Education’s Equivalency Program. Prof. Vi-Amor Dayrit, a registered behavior technician and lecturer at UP Diliman’s College of Human Kinetics, tackled issues related to learner behavior and management.

The second day featured interactive workshops and more in-depth lectures. Prof. Dayrit conducted a hands-on session on classroom management, while Dr. Arsad led a segment on the different facets of school planning. A highlight of the final day was a presentation by TESDA Zamboanga–Isabela City Director III, Omarkhayyam Dalagan, MDM, JD. He introduced TESDA’s scholarship programs, its 8-point agenda, and not to mention, training and partnership opportunities designed to enhance the technical and professional skills of Islamic education practitioners.

Participants came from a wide range of educational institutions committed to advancing Muslim education in their respective communities. These included Sarang Bangun Learning Center and High School, which is known for integrating Islamic values into academic instruction. Religious institutions such as Hadji Ahmad Sakaluran Institute, Madrasah Al Rahman, also took part, highlighting the importance of traditional Islamic learning. Several teachers from Zamboanga City public schools also attended in their dual capacities as ALIVE and subject teachers and traditional madrasah educators, including Taluksangay Elementary School, Talabaan Elementary School, Ayala SPED Center, Don Gregorio Elementary School, Santa Barbara Elementary School, and Talon-Talon National High School. The presence of faculty from Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi and Mindanao State University–Sulu further underscored the regional commitment to enhancing Muslim education through collaborative engagement and academic expertise.

As a key takeaway, TESDA encouraged UP CIDS-ISP to consolidate the identified professional development needs of the participants and craft formal recommendations to further strengthen support for Muslim education.

The seminar-workshop is part of an ongoing initiative launched in 2024 by UP CIDS-ISP and UP IIS to respond to educational challenges facing Muslim communities, with a focus on practical solutions for school-level implementation.

News & Archives

UP IIS Expands Access to Shari’ah Training with Online Review Program

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 15 May 2025

Shari’ah, or Islamic Law, has seen growing demand in the Philippines, along with a rising need for qualified Shari’ah Counselors. Responding to this need, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) formally launched its first-ever Shari’ah Online Review program.

Building on its long-standing offering of Shari’ah-related courses through the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies, UP IIS expanded its reach with this online review program, which ran from January 29 to May 9, 2025. The three-month review was held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with three-hour sessions each day. It covered vital subject areas such as Introduction to the Practice of Law, Jurisprudence, Legal Writing, Procedure, Succession, Persons, and Islamic Banking and Finance. To further support participants, coaching sessions were conducted at the end of the program.

The review was delivered by an esteemed roster of lecturers, including renowned UP IIS faculty, experienced Shari’ah experts, practicing lawyers, Shari’ah Counselors-at-Law, former Shari’ah Bar examiners and chairpersons, Shari’ah Bar topnotchers, and a seasoned Shari’ah District Court judge. Among them were Assoc. Prof. Macrina A. Morados, Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, Atty. Patrick Abdulmalik M. Velez, Atty. Abdul Majid B. Marohombsar, Judge Jamel T. Mamutuk, Ustadh Luqman L. Bin Usman Imam, Coun. Johayra A. Datlan, Aleem Mahid B. Mangondaya, and Coun. Analiza G. Flores-Malayang.

The program drew 83 reviewees from across the country, with the majority coming from Mindanao. Through this extension program, UP IIS reaffirmed its commitment to expanding learning opportunities and addressing the evolving needs of the Muslim community.

As the country’s premier academic institution for Islamic Studies, UP IIS designed the Shari’ah Review to equip aspiring Shari’ah practitioners with the knowledge and preparation needed to succeed in the Shari’ah Bar Examinations. More than just an exam review, the program represents the Institute’s broader mission to strengthen the Shari’ah system and meet the growing demand for qualified counselors in the Philippines. Moreover, it contributes to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education, particularly Indicator 4.3.4, which emphasizes education outreach activities beyond the campus.

Moving forward, the Shari’ah Online Review will become an annual program, embedded within UP IIS’s extension programs. By this, the Institute not only fulfills its academic mandate but also contributes to the broader Muslim ummah’s need for efficient, accessible Shari’ah services.

News & Archives

UP IIS Attends Iftar Gathering Hosted by Harmony and Wisdom Foundation (HWF)

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 19 Mar 2025

“Harmony and Wisdom Foundation, Inc. is like an extension of IIS. Thank you for the invitation, and we look forward to a stronger partnership through the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding.”

These were the words of Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, College Secretary of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), during the Iftar gathering hosted by the Harmony and Wisdom Foundation, Inc. (HWF) on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The event took place at HWF’s main office on Eisenhower Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro Manila.

For years, UP IIS has maintained a strong partnership with HWF, supporting its outreach and community development initiatives. The annual Iftar gathering serves as a meaningful occasion to renew this collaboration, as Iftar itself is a symbolic tradition that fosters community, prayer, and spirituality.

In her message, Atty. Shahana E. Abdulwahid, President of HWF, emphasized the significance of this tradition. She shared that hosting Iftar gatherings has become an integral part of HWF’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing shared programs aimed at building a better Ummah.

Following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Iftar traditionally begins with breaking the fast with three dates and water. Afterward, Muslims perform the Maghrib prayer before enjoying a larger meal, often shared with family, friends, and even non-Muslims. Many mosques and community centers host communal Iftar meals to bring people together.

This tradition was observed during the gathering, where attendees first broke their fast, followed by the Maghrib prayer. The Iftar meal was shared not only by Muslim participants but also by non-Muslim staff of UP IIS, reflecting the spirit of inclusivity and unity.

The event was attended by key officials of the Harmony and Wisdom Foundation, members of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, and a number of UP Diliman students.

Harmony and Wisdom Foundation, Inc. is a community service organization based in San Juan City, Metro Manila. It focuses on providing aid to families in need through donations, educational programs, and outreach initiatives such as summer camps and workshops. The foundation continues to expand its network by collaborating with private organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions.

Atty. Shahana E. Abdulwahid, HWF President

Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, UP IIS College Secretary

News & Archives

UP IIS and WAMY PH Hosts Solidarity Iftar to Strengthen Community and Understanding

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 17 Mar 2025

Iftar, or breaking the fast at sunset, is one of the most significant practices observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. It marks the end of daily fasting and serves as a time for spiritual reflection, communal gatherings, and strengthening one’s faith and sense of unity.

In line with this tradition, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), in partnership with the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Philippines and the Student Association for Islamic Affairs (SAIA), organized a Solidarity Iftar on March 16, 2025, at the UP Promenade, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

With the theme “A Solidarity Iftar: Offering the Spirit of Ramadan,” the event brought together both Muslim and non-Muslim attendees, fostering interfaith dialogue and a shared appreciation of Ramadan’s significance. It highlighted universal values such as compassion, generosity, and solidarity—core principles that lie at the heart of the observance of fasting.

The program formally opened with welcoming remarks from Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, faculty member and College Secretary of UP IIS. He described UP Diliman as “an open community that embraces diversity and different faiths,” emphasizing that the event was not only a Ramadan gathering but also a demonstration of solidarity within the UP community.

The lectures that followed provided deeper insights into the spiritual and intellectual aspects of Ramadan. Atty. Anwarul Wadud Tipu, Legal Adviser of WAMY Philippines, delivered the first lecture on the significance of fasting, explaining that it is a form of ibada (worship) and that the ultimate goal of Ramadan is to attain taqwa (God-consciousness). He encouraged students and professionals to cultivate sincerity and attentiveness in their studies and work while fasting, making Ramadan a time of both personal growth and productivity.

The final lecture was presented by Prof. Julkipli Wadi, Dean of UP IIS, who underscored the importance of lifelong learning, particularly for the youth, in understanding civilizations. He emphasized that education is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, citing the world’s first recorded university—Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco—which was established between 857 and 859 by Fatima al-Fihri. In 970AD, the famous Al-Azhar University was established in Cairo, Egypt. Over the centuries, it evolved into one of the leading educational and spiritual institutions of the Islamic Golden Age.

Following the lectures, a communal prayer was held before breaking the fast. Attendees observed Islamic tradition by first consuming dates and water before enjoying a full meal prepared for the gathering.

This initiative aligns with the mission of UP IIS to foster deeper understanding among diverse communities. By opening the Iftar gathering to people of all backgrounds, the event not only strengthened bonds within the Muslim community but also encouraged dialogue and cultural appreciation among non-Muslims.

As Ramadan continues, UP IIS and its partners reaffirm their commitment to strengthening interfaith connections and promoting a culture of empathy and understanding. Events like the Solidarity Iftar serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of shared values, mutual respect, and the enduring spirit of unity that defines the holy month.

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