By Alizaman D. Gamon and Mariam S. Tagoranao
Inspired by the philosophical underpinnings of integration of knowledge as espoused by elders of International Institute of Islamic Thoughts (IIIT) and other scholars of the Muslim world, the newly established office of the IIIT Philippines at RC-Al Khwarizmi International College Foundation Incorporated (RC-AKIC), Marawi City, Philippines is dedicated to creating a conducive intellectual environment for the academic and administrative staff, and students of the college.
The IIIT Philippines under the supervision of Dr. Alizaman D. Gamon seeks to explore possible areas for integration of knowledge projects that would place Muslim education in a new positive light in the eyes of Filipino communities. While the public universities have been mandated by the government to fulfil their roles towards social integration, advancement of a cultural conversation, and civilisational dialogue, the IIIT Philippines is, however, committed to offering an alternative discourse through meaningful integration of knowledge to address various social problems created by the erroneous educational system.
Through a meaningful collaboration with Muslim organisations, the IIIT Philippines has shown its dedication towards introducing various programmes that may provide an avenue for the gradual recognition of tawhidic worldview and epistemology as a driving force for cultural and civilisational convergence – an important tool for sustainable peace and development. Presenting IIIT as an advocate of Islamisation and integration of knowledge in a secular state is indeed a great challenge. As such, the IIIT Philippines has begun its first step towards the ‘relevantization’ of Islamic discourse amid secularism. The various programmes organised by the institute were mainly crafted for the realisation of shared spiritual space between the different cultural and religious communities in the Philippines.
Promoting the culture of peace through the agenda of Islamisation and integration is a humble attempt to revive the role of religion in the public space and to gradually recognise the relevance of an inclusivist approach to religious tolerance, peace, and social co-existence. Dr. Alizaman opined that intercultural and inter-religious can be spearheaded by Muslim institutions of higher learning to build bridges and channels of academic, scientific, and technical cooperation with other systems and educational institutions at the national level and thus, the philosophy of integration of knowledge should serve the interest of the country and beyond.
Although IIIT Philippines is at its embryonic stage in comparison with other IIIT centres in the region, however, various initiatives have been made for the realisation of its mandates i.e. the dissemination of Islamic knowledge and practices. Recently, a webinar on Islamic Worldview and the Cardinal Principles of Leadership was organised on 19 September through Zoom. Dr. Mohammed Farid Ali Al-Fijawi of the Department of Fiqh and Usul Fiqh at the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Science, International Islamic University Malaysia was invited by IIIT Philippines to discuss the four cardinal principles of “Leading the Way” the tagline of International Islamic University Malaysia leadership: Khilafah (Stewardship), Amanah (Trust), Iqra (Knowledge, and Rahmatan lil ‘Alamin (Mercy for the worlds).
The programme aimed to provide an epistemological framework of Islamic leadership and its relevance to the Muslim communities in the Philippines. In a nutshell, the programme highlighted that through meaningful integration of the best cultural practices related to leadership and its acculturation in accordance with the universal message of Islamic leadership, leaders (e.g. educational leaders) can empower people, preserve the planet, build prosperity, and foster peace.
The IIIT Philippines has a clear view that there is an urgency for the revival of Islamic social finance in the Philippines due to its relevance for the revitalisation of the Islamic economic system in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). As such, the Institute organised a workshop on Islamic Banking and Finance Series 2021, Islamic Banking: The Malaysian Experience which was held on 3 July 2021 through Zoom, an online platform.
The first series of the workshop on Islamic Banking and Finance in the Philippines had brought the attention of Dato’ Ahmad Tajudin Bin Abdul Rahman (Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM, among the pioneers who established Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia’s first Islamic bank in 1983) to share his personal experience on Islamic banking with the Philippine participants who were mostly accountants, lawyers, academicians, businessmen, and professionals.
Meanwhile, Attorney Arifa Alauya Ala (the Managing Director of the Financial Supervision Sub-sector (FSSs) III of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) was also invited to deliver a keynote lecture on the current development of Islamic Banking in the Philippines. Atty. Arifa presented the current government policies on Islamic banking in the Philippines, particularly in the BARMM region. While Dr. Acram Latip (Director, Institute for Peace Development and Management Mindanao State University, Marawi City) discussed the issues and challenges of the implementation of the approved government policies on Islamic banking in the Philippines.
The IIIT Philippines is indeed indebted to Dato’ Jamil Osman for introducing Ahmad Tajudin Bin Abdul Rahman to the Muslim accountants and professionals in the Philippines, whereby a truly integrated approach of the Islamic banking system that delineates mere theoretical prepositions of Islamic banking into its practical application based on the interest-free market in a secular state – the Philippines.
The invited speakers had clarified many issues in the monetary and fiscal economics of Islam as original as well as sizeable, and certainly beneficial for every community. Based on the comments of the participants, it is implied that the scientific works of Muslim scholars in the field of Islamic banking is meant to educate people and potential partners that both Islamic economics and finance are not just an exercise in Muslim theology or fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) but a new and lively approach to the economic problems of man.
In his speech, Dr. Alizaman D. Gamon passionately informed the participants that IIIT and other Muslim scholars, for the past few decades, have been fully engrossed in finding a practical panacea to the problem of contemporary economics, as well as finance by re-inventing an inclusivist approach that re-connect man’s economic culture and activities to its ethical roots, through which, it would gradually narrow the gap between capitalist and Islamic system. It is hoped that the one-day webinar would provide new windows for the recognition of Islamic banking as the best alternative amid the global economic meltdown.
The one-day webinar on Islamic leadership and values formation was organised by IIIT Philippines on 12 April 2021 in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chaplain Service, Camp Crame, Quezon City Philippines, and Imam Council of the Philippines (ICPI).
Given the cultural relationship between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Philippines, a more meaningful social integration through the promotion of the integration of knowledge is deemed crucial for the realisation of the national integration agenda. The IIIT Philippines and its local partners under the supervision of Dr. Alizaman D. Gamon had brought to the fore the relevance of Ramadan towards national peace and security. Dr. Alizaman courteously presented the epistemological foundation of “Ramadan and the Quest for Peace and Happiness,” by highlighting the multidimensional relevance of Ramadan to individual, social, and civilisational life.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Hamit Durakoglu, the chairman of Harmony and Wisdom Foundation addressed the topic “Fasting and Developing Self-Control. Dr. Abdul Hamit had graciously shed light on the purification of the inner self as the core message of Ramadan. Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, the chairman of Imam Council of the Philippines was given the topic “Ramadan, Qur’an, and Science. As a graduate of astronomy from the University of Azhar, Egypt, Aleem Said had beautifully elucidated the universal benefits of Ramadan from a scientific point of view. Aleem Said had made an interesting convergence of Islamic scientific tradition with contemporary science that captivated the attention of both Muslim and non-Muslim participants. The programme was attended by not less than 500 participants from PNP personnel, religious leaders, professionals, students, and others.
The invited speakers highlighted that despite the remarkable social, economic, and scientific advancements in the modern world, many people suffer from psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, and nihilism. This indicates that the true concept of man and his identity as portrayed in the world’s major religions have been undermined. The alienation of the self from his spiritual original has plagued the entire humanity. As such, the webinar was viewed by many participants, Muslim and non-Muslims alike, as timely and crucial in reinstating God-consciousness and ethical awareness, which are prerequisites for the knowledge of peace and happiness. It is indeed a challenge that the current system of knowledge has undermined the spiritual dimension of the self and the relevance of its purity to the wellbeing of society and civilisation.
Dr. Alizaman presented a critical analysis of World Health Organisation (WHO) perspective on spirituality, religion, and personal beliefs as essential factors in the evaluation of the quality of life, thus, leading the entire discourse into the prominence of integration of knowledge as an important instrument for bridging the gap between conflicting cultural groups. In addition, Dr. Alizaman made a remarkable example of a true embodiment of unity within diversity by citing how racial harmony has been observed in Malaysia after her independence in 1957. Such meaning of social integration can be replicated through the reform of education and publication of textbooks that equally respect the knowledge culture of Muslim communities in the Philippines.
Inspired by the Philosophical underpinning of the Institute, the IIIT Philippines has been committed to providing the right perspective and methodology in disseminating the knowledge culture of Islam within the context of the secular state-the Philippines. As such, a one-day webinar on the significance of the Eidil Adha celebration with the theme: “One Ummah One Message” was organised by IIIT Philippines in partnership with PNP Chaplain Service Camp Crame, Quezon City Philippines on 14 July 2021.
Dr. Alizaman lectured on the topic “Towards an Integrated Approach for Social Engagement: The Relevance of Feast of Sacrifice in the Age of Cultural Pluralism” due to its relevance in the present discourse. The webinar aimed to provide an understanding of the universal message of feast of sacrifice from the Qur’anic point of view. The last farewell sermon of the Prophet (SAW) and its relevance to the world community was discussed in great detail. In addition, the need for a holistic framework for social engagement amid secularism, religious and cultural pluralism had been emphasised by the speakers.
The philosophy of sacrifice relates to the demonstration of the true spirit of submission and sacrifice in the best possible manner, in which, when confronted with the challenge of love and allegiance, Muslims like Prophet Ibrahim chose to submit unconditionally to God and suppressed personal desire and love for his family and child. Dr. Alizaman reminded the participants that Qurbani calls for the slaughter of one’s innate desires by placing the knife of courage, and resistance on hatred, jealousy, pride, greed, animosity, love for the world, and other such maladies of the heart.
The webinar had captivated the attention of the audience through a meaningful presentation of the concept of equality, that Eidil Adha promotes, in which, uniformity of dress, along with other restrictions, removes from visibility the markers of wealth and class distinction. Thus, all are equal in their status as pilgrims.
In addition to the above-mentioned programmes, IIIT Philippines representative, Dr. Alizaman was invited by Shahran Kassim of IIIT East and Southeast Asia to participate in the “IIIT Online Daily Tazkirah” with the theme: “Ramadan and the Spirit of One Ummah” which was held on 21 April 2021 through Zoom Online Meeting. Dr. Alizaman delivered the topic “Understanding the True Meaning of Happiness during Ramadan. He was also given the privilege to deliver seven lectures on Islamic Philosophy and Worldview in the IIIT Online Class which was held from July 5 to August 29, 2021.
The IIIT Philippines had actively participated in the weekly meeting of Ranao Council Incorporated and its Halaqah programme that had resulted in the publication of the official magazine of the Ranao Council. Our members from the Council have been strong supporters of the agenda of Islamisation and integration of knowledge in the Philippines. The contents of the magazine clearly define the new orientation of the writers for giving prominence towards a holistic understanding of socio-economic and religious realities.
The IIIT Philippines has been given the task to supervise the translation of ten (10) IIIT Book-in-Brief and the translation of two (2) IIIT Books: (1) The The Qur’anic Worldview: A Springboard for Cultural Reform, By Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman, (2) Crisis in the Muslim Mind, By Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman). The assigned translators are academic staff of the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), Diliman, under the supervision of Prof. Macrina Morados, the Dean of the Institute. ***
(Dr. Alizaman D. Gamon is an academic at the Department of Fundamental and Inter-Discplinary Studies, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, IIUM).