Category: News & Archives

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

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 8 Nov 2024

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.

News & Archives

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

Post author By UP Institute of Islamic Studies
Post date 8 Nov 2024

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.

News & Archives

UP IIS and Islamic Psychology College in Turkey Explore Future Collaboration

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 7 Nov 2024

“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.

News & Archives

UP IIS IQRA Program Features Seminar on Thesis Writing

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 3 Oct 2024

As part of its Internal Quality Resilience Agenda (IQRA), the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, supported by the University Library, hosted a capacity-building activity titled “Seminar on Thesis Writing Manual, Turnitin, and Citation Styles” on September 30, 2024, in Room 303, Virata Hall, UP Institute of Small-Scale Industries Building, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

The seminar aimed to equip Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (MAIS) students with essential skills for their thesis-writing journey. Ms. Ma. Zain Daclis, Senior Administrative Staff of the Research, Publication, and Extension Division and one of the ARUGA counselors of the Institute, explained that the seminar is part of the ARUGA (Academic Research Utilization for Graduate Advancement) initiative, designed to empower MAIS students by enhancing their research abilities and fostering collaboration. ARUGA is complemented by BRIDGE (Building Resilience, Initiative, and Development for Students, Graduates, and Experts), a series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at skill development.

Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of UP IIS, underscored the significance of research expertise and the technical tools that simplify academic work. He expressed gratitude to the resource speakers who shared their knowledge with students.

The seminar featured two resource speakers: Asst. Prof. Yhna Therese Santos, College Secretary of the UP School of Library and Information Science (UP SLIS), who presented on “Thesis Writing Manual,” and Ms. Dianne Angela V. Villavicencio, College Librarian at the University Library of UP Diliman, who covered “Citation Style Guide and Turnitin.”

Asst. Prof. Santos outlined the core components of a thesis, including structure, formatting, writing style, citation practices, familiarity with citation styles, use of reference management tools, and adherence to copyright standards. She described thesis writing as a process beginning with a research question and concluding with data analysis, emphasizing that good writing practices and the consultation of publication manuals are essential throughout this process.

Ms. Villavicencio, the second resource speaker, discussed plagiarism, citation, referencing, and the ethical use of Turnitin and Mendeley. With the rise of artificial intelligence, she defined plagiarism as “the process or practice of using another person’s ideas or work and presenting it as one’s own” and highlighted the importance of academic integrity, especially at UP. She encouraged students to ethically integrate AI by following proper citation and referencing guidelines, regularly reviewing their work, and avoiding reliance solely on AI tools.

Attendees included UP IIS faculty, staff, and students, along with participants from other UP Diliman units.

Through the implementation of IQRA, UP IIS actively contributes to the University of the Philippines’ pursuit of academic and research excellence.

News & Archives

UP IIS and ICRC Hold 5th Installation of Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law Related to Armed Conflict

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 29 Sep 2024

The relevance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) alongside Islamic law is increasingly significant. As noted by Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, “We must be well-equipped in this field, not only due to its necessity here in the Philippines but also because of the urgent need for a deep understanding of international relations and Islamic studies, particularly in light of the ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world.”

This message was delivered during the preliminary event of the three-day “Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law related to Armed Conflict (Siyar)” held from September 24-26, 2024, in Room 301, Virata Hall, Institute of Small-Scale Industries Building, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Now in its fifth installation, the certificate course is organized in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was honored by the presence of its new Head of Operations, Mr. Pierre-Yves Barrea. In his opening remarks, Mr. Barrea expressed his gratitude to UP IIS for its continuous partnership and acknowledged the participation and support from the 26 participants coming from Zamboanga, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Butuan, Baguio, and Manila.

This certificate course, attended by a diverse group of participants, aims to enhance understanding between International Humanitarian Law and Islamic Law in armed conflict. It seeks to integrate relevant Islamic Law modules into university and Madaris curricula, addressing the challenges faced in conflict-affected Mindanao. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen cooperation between Islamic institutions, scholars, and the ICRC while emphasizing the safety of medical and religious personnel, as well as humanitarian workers. The initiative encourages open discussions to find common ground on neutral humanitarian actions and to enhance collaboration among humanitarian actors in the region.

To achieve these objectives, resource persons covered a wide range of topics related to IHL and Islamic Law (Siyar). On Day 1, speakers included Ms. Layal Neaimeh, who provided an “Overview of ICRC’s Work with Religious Circles”; Atty. Gabriel Calleja, who discussed “Introduction to International Humanitarian Law”; Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, who introduced “Islamic Law of War (Siyar)”; Ms. Kelisiana Thynne, who spoke on “IHL and Human Rights Law” and “Classification of Conflict and Its Legal Implications”; and Assoc. Prof. Macrina A. Morados, who addressed “Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict.”

The discussions continued on Day 2 with Atty. Gabriel Calleja presented on “Persons and Objects Protected under IHL: Case Studies”; Ms. Layal Neaimeh discussed “Protection and Respect for the Dead and ICRC’s Work to Preserve the Dignity of the Dead”; Aleem Naguib Taher focused on “Protection of the Deceased and Burial Management in Islam”; Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani covering “Protection of Civilians in Islamic Law of War and Its General Principles”; Ms. Marianne Legaspi addressing “Addressing Sexual Violence in the ICRC”; Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani again discussing “Protection of Detainees in Islamic Law of Armed Conflict”; and Ms. Silvia Aquino talking about “ICRC’s Action in Detention.”

On the final day of the course, Dr. Kristina Facelo-Datu Ramos discussed the “Protection of Health Care Personnel and Humanitarian Workers in a Conflict Situation: A Study from the Philippines”; Ms. Layal Neaimeh presented on the “ICRC Health Care in Danger Initiative”; Datu Mussolini S. Lidasan spoke on the “Role of IHL in Creating Conditions for Peace in the Bangsamoro Region”; Ms. Kelisiana Thynne discussed “Contemporary Challenges for the Implementation of IHL”; and Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi addressed “Contemporary Challenges Related to Islamic Law of War (Siyar).”

Other activities during the course included daily recaps by participant groups, video presentations by the ICRC, open forums, and group and panel discussions.

Sharing a common mission to promote peace, UP IIS and the ICRC continue to collaborate through academic and extension efforts. Through initiatives like the Certificate Course on IHL and Islamic Law, both institutions empower participants to navigate the challenges of conflict while respecting international humanitarian standards and Islamic principles, ultimately working towards a more peaceful and just society.

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