Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines-Diliman

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UP IIS and Muslim Institutions Promote Muslim-Christian Relations Through Interfaith Activities

“Our dialogue is grounded in shared values with our Christian friends. We don’t start with the negative; when you begin with negativity, things can only go downhill. We choose instead to focus on common ground,” said Dr. Shabir Ally at a recent two-day interfaith event hosted by the Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Organized in collaboration with the International Center for Social Research, Peace, and Development (ICSRPD), the UP Muslim Students’ Association (UP MSA), and the Ta’aruf Institute, the event aimed to bridge gaps and foster mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians.

Held on November 13 and 14, 2024, at Room 300, Virata Hall, UP-Diliman, the event featured a public lecture titled “Jesus in the Qur’an” and a workshop, “Muslims in Dialogue with Christians,” attracting attendees from various faiths and backgrounds. Dr. Shabir Ally, President of the Islamic Information & Da’wah Centre International in Toronto, Canada, served as the resource speaker. Known for his program Let the Qur’an Speak and expertise in interfaith dialogue, Dr. Ally holds a doctoral degree in Qur’anic interpretation from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with a specialization in Biblical Literature from Laurentian University.

In his opening remarks, IIS Dean Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi described Dr. Ally as “a unique voice—deeply learned in Islamic thought, especially the Qur’an and the Sunna, and uniquely qualified to engage in discussions about other faith traditions.” Prof. Wadi praised Let the Qur’an Speak as “enlightening, profound, and inviting,” commending Dr. Ally’s ability to foster understanding in an increasingly diverse world.

The event offered attendees insights into how the Qur’an portrays Jesus as a prophet, messenger, and Messiah of God. To deepen this understanding, the workshop provided hands-on training, including role-playing exercises to help participants share and appreciate the common elements in various faith practices.

More than a dialogue platform, the event embodied IIS’s vision of a society strengthened by interfaith harmony. Dr. Ally and the UP IIS team expressed their commitment to pursue future initiatives that build connections and deepen understanding across faiths.

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UP CIDS-ISP and UP IIS Promote Shari’ah Law Awareness Through Educational Campaign

The Shari’ah Law program is a major initiative of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), supported by the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS), which serves as the research arm of the UP System. Shari’ah has been prioritized due to recent support from the national government and the Supreme Court, which recognize its significance to the Muslim community, comprising approximately 6.4% of the Philippine population—roughly 6 million people.

Highlighting this importance, Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, in his welcome remarks, stated, “Shari’ah is part of our obligations as Muslims—not only in knowledge but also in promoting and advocating it, which are the foundations of a true Muslim community.”

Building on these efforts, the Shari’ah Education Campaign was launched as an awareness-raising initiative to promote the role and functions of Shari’ah courts in the Philippines. This campaign, organized by the UP CIDS Islamic Studies Program in partnership with the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, took place on November 9, 2024, at the University Hotel, UP Diliman campus in Quezon City.

The campaign also aimed to bridge an important gap: despite establishing additional Shari’ah courts and recent legislative advancements, many Muslims remain unaware of these resources. This lack of awareness restricts access to Shari’ah services, limiting community members’ ability to fully benefit from the legal support available to them.

To further promote understanding, two key lectures on Shari’ah were delivered by faculty members from the UP Institute of Islamic Studies. First, Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari presented a historical overview of Islamic Law in the Philippines, which was introduced alongside Islam in Sulu and Mindanao in the 13th century and reached Luzon and the Visayas by the 16th century. He detailed the evolution of Shari’ah law, highlighting its constitutional basis, key milestones, and recent legislative advancements, including Senate Bill No. 2215 and House Bill No. 9045.

Following this, Assoc. Prof. Macrina Morados, a Shari’ah counselor, gave a lecture titled “Highlights of Selected Provisions on Person, Property, and Family Relations: A Comparative Study of Shari’ah Law and the Civil Code.” She explained the differences between these provisions under Shari’ah and their applications within the framework of Islamic law, providing participants with insights into both legal systems.

The lectures fostered engagement and dialogue, encouraging participants to ask questions and interact with the speakers. One prominent recommendation from these discussions was the establishment of Shari’ah Muslim Affairs Offices within each LGU or BLGU. These offices would serve Muslim constituents and ensure that Shari’ah policies are implemented under the guidance of qualified counselors or judges. Such initiatives would enhance access to Shari’ah court services across Metro Manila, further strengthening the support system for Muslim communities.

The campaign drew diverse participants, including representatives from the BLGU of Maharlika Village in Taguig City, religious leaders from the Blue Mosque in Taguig, media, and members from various Muslim organizations based in Metro Manila.

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UP IIS and UP CIDS-ISP Conclude Issues on Muslim Education Project with Roundtable Discussion

The University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies-Islamic Studies Program (UP CIDS-ISP) and the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UPIIS) concluded the final phase of the “Issues in Muslim Education” project with a Roundtable Discussion (RTD) focused on assessing the impact of interventions in Muslim education. The event took place on October 12, 2024, at the AdZU Lantaka campus, N.S. Valderosa Street, Zamboanga City. 

The RTD brought together teachers and school administrators who had previously participated in a workshop held in July. These participants served as resource persons during the Impact Assessment session. School officials from the Sarang Bangun Learning Center and High School (SBLCHS) opened the session by sharing insights into SBLCHS as an institution, its approach to integrating Islamic Studies into the curriculum, institutional policies, and valuable mentoring takeaways.

Teachers followed up with presentations on strategies to help students meet learning outcomes, challenges they face in the classroom, the workshop’s impact, and recommendations for future improvements. Subject areas covered in these discussions included Mathematics, English, Science, Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE), Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH), and Arabic Language.

In addition, representatives from the Hji. Ahmad Sakaluran Institute, who are also part of the Department of Education’s Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program, shared insights from a madrasah perspective, touching on similar topics.

Assoc. Prof. Nefertari Arsad, a faculty member of UP IIS and project leader of UP CIDS-ISP, synthesized the discussions, highlighting that many of the challenges faced by educators and school officials, particularly within the ALIVE program, are systemic. She underscored the need for national advocacy through lobbying efforts, such as developing position papers and policy briefs, to drive policy reforms that support Islamic Education for both the Madrasah Education Program (MEP) and integrated madrasah. These programs are subject-centered and merely add-ons to the national curriculum policy, which limits opportunities for integration and constrains the breadth and depth of teaching.

Assoc. Prof. Arsad further emphasized concerns regarding classroom management and the need to strengthen curriculum integration and contextualization to recognize community context and culture. She recommended that the extension project continue with more hands-on workshops as a way forward.

To address the common classroom management challenges, participants also benefited from a lecture by Prof. Vi-Amor Dayrit, a Special Education Specialist, who spoke on assessment techniques for diverse learners.

Under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Arsad, the “Issues in Muslim Education” project aims to conduct a full-circle examination of educational interventions, with the goal of developing insightful policy recommendations. The project specifically addresses pressing issues in Muslim education at the school level, where interventions can be implemented effectively and their impacts observed over shorter time periods.

As the project moves forward, it aims to promote sustainable, policy-driven changes to better address the unique challenges faced by Muslim educators and students in the Philippines.

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UP Institute of Islamic Studies Hosts Forum on Supreme Court’s Exclusion of Sulu from BARMM

Following the recent Supreme Court decision to exclude Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) held a forum titled “SC and Sulu Exit: Implications for the Quest for Peace in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.” The forum took place on October 3, 2024, at Virata Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

As a leading academic institution in Islamic studies, the UP IIS organized the event to provide a platform for Muslim scholars, academics, legal professionals, and peace advocates to delve deeply into this significant issue. The forum aimed to foster a comprehensive discussion on the ruling’s potential impacts on peace and stability in the region.

Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi emphasized the forum’s importance, noting that the Supreme Court’s decision had elicited a spectrum of reactions. “While a large segment of the Bangsamoro community celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision on the Bangsamoro Organic Law, many Tausug – especially those who identify with the concept of Bangsa Sug – had mixed reactions,” he stated. “Some expressed a sense of freedom, others felt indifferent, while peace advocates and those directly affected were surprised or disappointed.”

The forum featured notable experts in peace negotiations and legal studies. Among them were Atty. Soliman M. Santos Jr., a former RTC Judge of Naga City; Presidential Adviser Almarim C. Tillah from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs; Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, former GPH Chief Negotiator; and Atty. Algamar A. Latiph, lawyer and human rights advocate, who, together with his counsel, filed a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court on its decision to exclude Sulu. Their insights led to productive discussions on the ruling’s implications and potential ways forward.

Atty. Santos Jr. expressed strong reservations about the Supreme Court’s decision, calling the exclusion of Sulu from BARMM “an absurdity that defeats the goal of a unified autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao and a cohesive Bangsamoro identity.” He suggested that addressing the issue would require a dual approach on legal and political fronts to potentially reintegrate Sulu into BARMM.

Presidential Adviser Tillah underscored the importance of “consultation.” He cautioned that without direct input from affected communities, any decision made by the Supreme Court risks failure. Building on this point, Prof. Ferrer referenced the 2019 plebiscite’s outcome, arguing that the Court’s ruling reflects Sulu’s right to self-determination.

During the Q&A session, participants contributed diverse perspectives. A university professor and practicing lawyer highlighted the need for political intervention, suggesting that Sulu residents themselves should have an opportunity to build consensus on whether to remain separate or rejoin BARMM. “There is still a lot to be done,” she observed, “including ensuring that the people of Sulu can genuinely discuss and decide on their future within or outside BARMM.”

The Supreme Court’s declaration on September 9, 2024, coincided with UP’s annual commemoration of Martial Law, a historical event remembered for its lasting impact on Philippine society. Just as the commemoration emphasizes learning from history to prevent repeating past injustices, discussions like those around Sulu’s status underscore the need for comprehensive understanding and informed discourse on critical issues affecting national unity and peace.

UP continues to play a crucial role in promoting peace and development in the region, helping to address complex issues like the recent Supreme Court decision and Sulu’s exit from BARMM. Through forums such as this, UP through UP IIS provides an essential space for dialogue and reflection, contributing to the broader efforts toward a peaceful and cohesive Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago.

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UP IIS and Islamic Psychology College in Turkey Explore Future Collaboration

“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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