The Role of Muslim Community Leaders in Shaping Empowerment and Peacebuilding Efforts in the Philippines

By, Alizaman D. Gamon

It is a privilege to write on a topic that lies at the heart of our shared goals—empowerment, nation-building, and the role of community leaders in ASEAN communities. In our fast-changing world, the challenges we face are multifaceted, demanding a holistic approach that recognizes the importance of ethical, spiritual, and cultural values. As community leaders, we have the responsibility to ensure that our efforts in these areas are guided by a deep understanding of our local contexts, traditions, and the shared humanity that emanates from our worldviews and belief systems.

Over the past few decades, we have witnessed how the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the establishment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 1969, and the First World Conference on Islamic Education, held in Makkah in 1977 had moulded the mind of many Muslim intellectuals and community leaders in ASEAN. It provided them a blueprint for addressing issues on political activism, social reform, and education, emphasizing that Islam could be a dynamic force for nation-building and empowerment.

While various initiatives have been crafted to chart a path toward realizing the true meaning of empowerment and nation-building, I contend that we must embrace the belief that our shared vision of holistic empowerment and nation-building should emerge from community and intellectual leaders who embody justice, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility—values that Islam and other great civilizations have upheld throughout history. It is, therefore, a significant challenge for community and intellectual leaders to develop a knowledge culture that builds nations that are not only prosperous but also just, inclusive, and morally grounded.

Allow me to reiterate a few key points that I believe are essential for reinforcing our efforts as community and intellectual leaders toward the development of a knowledge culture that clarifies the meaning, methods, and strategies of the theme of our forum today. 

1. A Holistic View of Empowerment

Given the prevalence of secular thought and philosophy, there is no doubt that the concept of empowerment is often associated with how particular members of a community participate in political, economic, and institutional reform. While active participation in social spheres is an important measure of empowerment, however, a holistic approach to empowerment goes beyond material success and technical advancement. 

A holistic view of empowerment, which includes the spiritual, ethical, and cultural dimensions of human life, should be reflected in our knowledge culture. However, due to the dualistic approach to education, many policymakers may question its legality, as it appears to contradict the philosophy of the separation of church and state. This phenomenon has been particularly experienced by Muslim minorities in the region, especially Muslim Filipinos.

2. Moving Beyond Positivism in Nation-Building

Moving beyond the discourse of positivism in peace-building, which captures the essence of social harmony, the promotion of ethical governance, and the creation of an environment where individuals can grow not only as citizens but also as moral agents, is often obstructed by a knowledge culture that advances a positivist approach which tends to overlook the more nuanced, qualitative aspects of peace-building—those that speak to identity, moral leadership, and social justice. 

Being aware of the flaws of the positivist approach to nation-building, concerned Muslim scholars have engaged with their counterparts to recontextualize ethical governance, which emphasizes moral values, transparency, and accountability in the public sphere as a strategy to foster a national narrative for peace-building. Various Muslim organizations in the Philippines have organized workshops and training programs to educate local leaders and community members about ethical governance, encouraging them to adopt practices that align with Islamic principles. Their collaborative efforts with non-governmental organizations in implementing various programs addressing social inequalities, economic disparities, and other issues affecting Muslim communities have contributed to bridging the epistemological clash between the two opposing intellectual traditions.

Additionally, the cultural and identity preservation of Muslim communities in the region has been taken seriously by many advocates of peaceful coexistence to enhance the positivist perspective of nation-building. The effort to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Filipino Muslims and other communities in the region, along with recognizing their integration into the broader national narrative, will not only instil a sense of pride and identity among the youth but also encourage them to embrace their heritage while contributing positively to society. 

Responding to the challenges of modern education as a state instrument for national integration, Muslim educational leaders find themselves at a critical juncture in repositioning Muslim education. They share the view that adopting a holistic approach, such as integrating Islamic principles into the existing curriculum, will strengthen its ability to produce not only good individuals but also responsible citizens. Various government policies have been enacted by responsible leaders to give special attention to fostering the growth of Muslim youth, ensuring they are on par with their non-Muslim peers within the current educational infrastructure, particularly in the broader context of nation-building.  

To ensure that the voices of Muslim communities are heard at the national level, the Islamic language and the philosophical underpinnings for interfaith dialogue should be carefully articulated by rightful intellectual leaders. Their efforts should aim to build bridges and foster social harmony, addressing misconceptions about Islam, its culture and practices, as well as its role in peace and nation-building. 

Therefore, to ensure that the voices of Muslim minorities are heard, both community and intellectual leaders must be actively involved in national policymaking processes that reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of Muslim communities. This involvement will transform Muslim communities into relevant players in the realization of a more inclusive and harmonious Philippine society.

3. Reclaiming Traditional Islamic Conversation for Peace-building 

Given the influence of secular approaches to peacebuilding, we have witnessed how Muslim community leaders in the region, particularly in the Bangsamoro, have responded to the challenges posed by the dominant discourse on peace education through their unwavering efforts to preserve and revitalize cultural and historical dialogue with their counterparts. We are also aware that much of this dialogue has been interrupted or marginalized by colonialism, conflict, and modernization.

By drawing from Islamic principles of consultation (shura), reconciliation (sulh), and moderation (wasatiyyah), and gradually integrating them within national systems, it is expected that underrepresented voices in peacebuilding efforts, particularly those rooted in Islamic traditions and indigenous practices, will gain recognition for their significance. This initiative will also provide a historical framework for understanding current tensions and conflicts, especially about the struggles for autonomy and recognition of the Moro people.

It is, therefore, our collective responsibility as community leaders in ASEAN to reinvent a knowledge culture that fosters awareness of our shared humanity, which underpins the global enterprise of peace and conflict transformation. This notable milestone in the progression of peace and conflict resolution enriches current theories and practices, contributing to the empowerment and peacebuilding embraced by the global community.

 It is my personal belief, as a student of Islam in the Philippines, that a creative synthesis between old traditions and new approaches in the discourse of empowerment and peacebuilding would offer numerous advantages to every community. It is a monumental challenge for us to re-engage intellectuals and policymakers in the realm of sustainable peace and development, backed by genuine philosophical foundations that respect one’s history, identity, and future aspirations.

Fostering a Knowledge Culture and Peace: The Role of Muslim Community Leaders in shaping Empowerment and Nation-building efforts in the Philippines

Allow me to share my humble reflections on how Muslim community leaders in the Philippines have contributed to fostering a knowledge culture for empowerment and peacebuilding. More often than not, the narrative for understanding Islam, culture, and tradition in the Philippines is framed by the concept of the “Moro Problem,” which highlights conflicts between Muslims and Christians. However, terms like “Muslim” and “Moro” represent more than just conflict—they signify the diverse cultural identities of thirteen Muslim minority groups that have enriched the nation. Historically labelled “Moro” by the Spanish, these communities today still grapple with issues of identity and marginalization, especially within a secular national framework.

Muslim leaders and intellectuals in the Philippines have played a critical role in shaping governance, achieving key milestones such as the recognition of Muslim Personal Law and the establishment of Shari’ah courts. Education remains central to preserving Muslim identity, with Islamic scholars advocating for a system that respects tradition while addressing the challenges posed by secular influences. The role of community leaders in this endeavour is crucial as they work to reform the educational system and correct historical injustices.

This presentation assumes that the path to peace and empowerment in the Philippines lies in the hands of community leaders who are dedicated to bridging divides, fostering understanding, and building a unified, compassionate society.

Recognizing the Importance of an Integrated Knowledge Culture

As we navigate the complexities of our cultural landscape, it is crucial to recognize the critical role of culture in shaping human behaviour and beliefs. At this juncture, it is pivotal to emphasize the significance of an integrated knowledge culture that can help enhance the framework provided by the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is our moral obligation as a global community to rediscover and promote the universal messages of world religions, including Islam.

In a society that may reflect the prejudices of the past, it is timely to strive to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates our differences. Such initiatives can be derived from the Qur’anic concept of diversity as articulated in the principle of li ta’arafu, which emphasizes the unity of life and acknowledges the diverse nature of our communities. Therefore, Muslim scholars—who are legitimate social scientists and true doctors for the people—must unite to find solutions to address the root of the epistemological clash between two opposing cultures in our contemporary context.

The Formation of Islamic Culture of Knowledge in the Philippines

Since the 1970s, social life in the Philippines, particularly in the Bangsamoro region, has faced increasing disruption due to unresolved social problems such as riots, civil war, and the marginalization of various groups. This disintegration stems from a flawed knowledge culture that undermines social systems and erodes consensus and cultural awareness. When government institutions lose legitimacy, conflicts can threaten social equilibrium.

It is interesting to note that despite the diverse backgrounds of Muslim community leaders, they have shown a unified approach to countering reductionist narratives that diminish cultural identity. This has led to the emergence of both armed and unarmed struggles in the Philippines. Both traditional and modern Muslim leaders have presented their views on how to foster the government’s strategies for the effective management of cultural diversity through education. Due to the state’s adherence to the principle of separation of church and state, the advancement of assimilationist secular education has been adopted as a government measure for peaceful coexistence in the Muslim region.

Sharing the aspirations of community leaders in the majority Muslim communities of the region, Muslim intellectuals in the Philippines have been engaged in redefining Islam’s role in contemporary society, focusing on how it can best serve the interests of modern Muslim Filipinos. The Islamization and integration project has taken root in the Philippine secular education landscape, gradually providing a new meaning to the lives of modernized Muslim communities in the country.

Contextualizing the Knowledge Culture of Islam and its Relevance to National Unity

Literature on peace and security in the Philippine context highlights the crucial role of Muslim community leaders in addressing longstanding issues of marginalization and cultural misrepresentation, particularly within the educational and legal systems. Despite efforts by policymakers to create a more inclusive knowledge culture, remnants of ethnocentric and secular approaches continue to alienate the Muslim minority. The content of educational curricula and the unamended Code of Muslim Personal Laws, established in 1977 (Presidential Decree No. 1083), which are shaped predominantly by Christian and Manila-centric perspectives, often overlook the intellectual, cultural, and historical richness of Muslim communities in the Philippines.

Given the intellectual interactions between Muslim scholars in the region and across the broader Muslim world, we have witnessed a new dimension of peace and security leveraging the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Shariah), which aim to preserve key human interests: religion (deen), life (nafs), intellect (‘aql), lineage (nasl), and wealth (maal). Although the recognition of the importance of these principles remains in its embryonic stage in the secular Philippine context, no doubt applying them can play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable peace and enhancing national security by addressing the root causes of conflict while promoting social justice, development, and harmony.

 It is worth mentioning at this juncture that the active role of Muslim community leaders and intellectuals in repositioning Islamic thought and philosophy for the advancement of an Islamic narrative of peaceful coexistence has been evident since the establishment of legal and educational institutions managed by Muslim leaders in the Philippines. These include the founding of Mindanao State University on September 1, 1961; the creation of the Institute of Islamic Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman on November 22, 1973; the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on August 1, 1989; the formation of the new political entity, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in February 2019; and the establishment of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which was set up to replace the now-defunct Office of Muslim Affairs. All these institutions are mandated to preserve and develop the culture, traditions, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, in conformity with the country’s laws and consonance with national unity and development.

In the effort to reposition Islamic thought as a leading force in the discourse on multiculturalism, various initiatives have been undertaken by concerned Muslim intellectuals and leaders to integrate spiritual and moral values, foster national consciousness, and promote solidarity and mutual understanding among Filipinos.

Given the intellectual exchange among community leaders in the region, it seems that the unique experience of Malaysians in understanding diversity, interfaith dialogue, social justice, and equality initiatives, political inclusivity, guided democracy, and the cultivation of comprehensive and holistic education and cultural awareness has contributed to enriching the framework of community leaders as they revisit past government approaches to promoting inclusivity and mutual respect among different Muslim communities in the Philippines. 

Emphasizing a non-violent approach to armed struggle, community leaders leverage the importance of enhancing social cohesion, interfaith dialogue, and collaboration among religious leaders and intellectuals as instruments to heal the historical and epistemological biases created by religious and intellectual authorities of the past.

Bridging the Socio-Cultural Gap: Empowerment and Peacebuilding through Community Leadership

Producing citizens who uphold the synergistic derivatives of the principles of national unity, guided by the teachings of their culture and tradition, is the concern of every peace advocate. Drawing from the profound wisdom and universal messages of world religions, including Islam—whose common goal is to protect the rights of all humankind—we have witnessed in recent years the collaborative efforts of the ‘Ulama League of the Philippines, Catholic bishops, and various government and non-government organizations, demonstrating their confidence that peace and understanding can be achieved in a secular state. Therefore, academics and policymakers need to work closely in advancing their advocacy for intercultural dialogue, rather than allocating a large portion of the government budget to addressing armed conflicts.

In every community, the contributions of its leaders to history, culture, and society at large should be recognized. As such, they should be regarded as respected institutions when they attain the necessary qualifications of leadership, are empowered through formal mechanisms, and gain government confidence in their ideas. Additionally, they possess the moral authority to oppose injustice and facilitate reconciliation.

The participation of Muslim community leaders in enriching the Islamic legal system like the Codification of Muslim Personal Laws despite few legal grievances with their counterparts,  and the introduction of various educational reforms have provided pathways for bridging the socio-cultural gap in the history of Islam in the Philippines. Recent initiatives concerning the development of Islamic banking, finance, and the halal industry in a secular state have captured the attention of policymakers, highlighting the relevance of Muslim community leaders and intellectuals in reshaping the country’s economic landscape.

 The Problem of Exclusivist Approach to Empowerment and Peace-building  

As we march toward becoming a well-informed community eager to profoundly understand the complexity of majority-minority issues in ASEAN, which are embedded in the interplay of historical, political, social, and cultural factors, we are confronted by challenges stemming from exclusivist approaches to empowerment and peacebuilding in various forms and degrees. The case of Muslim communities in the Philippines is no exception.

While the majority ethnic or religious groups often wield more political and economic power in the region, it is disheartening to witness how minority communities in ASEAN experience systemic discrimination, lack of representation, and social marginalization. In the case of the Philippines, this marginalization can be attributed to exclusivist socio-political norms imposed by the governing elites, which have historically sidelined Muslim cultural, legal, and educational institutions. This elitist approach, through mechanisms of assimilation and national integration, has led to the isolation of minority communities. Although some government policies have undermined cultural dialogue and disrupted the peace process in Mindanao, optimism was sparked during President Duterte’s administration, which brought renewed attention to national unity.

Islamic Worldview as the Foundation of Peace and Empowerment

Being aware of the cumulative consequences of the loss of tawhidic epistemology, which has resulted in the gradual weakening of Muslim communities, we have witnessed over the years how Muslim intellectuals and leaders have leveraged the government’s recognition of the right of Muslim communities to choose, assert, and enrich their knowledge culture under the pretext of multiculturalism. Such initiatives have, to some extent, facilitated an understanding of the unresolved crisis and conflict in Mindanao, emanating from the clash between secular and Islamic approaches to nation-building and identity issues.

It is noteworthy that various interfaith and intercultural dialogues have been organized in response to the failure of government mechanisms for national integration and peace initiatives. Anticipating the repercussions of a narrowly defined concept of peace as merely the absence of war—whether between nations, groups, or within a country—instead of addressing the deeper problems of structural violence, human rights violations, exploitation, marginalization, and political exclusion, we have observed a new trend of thinking among young intellectuals and leaders. They seek a harmonious synergy between tawhidic epistemology and modern epistemologies within the context of a secular setting.

In pursuing a discourse of peace and empowerment that upholds the principles of human civilization, which gives merit to sustainable peace rather than its temporary dimensions, it has become a necessary step for Muslim community leaders to advance the meaning of reform (Iṣlāḥ), renewal (tajdīd), and reconstruction (i’ādatu’l-binā’) of contemporary knowledge and society, following the worldview of Islamic monotheism (Tawḥīd) and its universal teachings amid a secular approach to peace. 

I believe we commonly share the view that, through a meaningful synergy of knowledge cultures that emphasizes the importance of religion, it is anticipated that both Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the region will be spiritually and intellectually empowered to grasp the essence of their relationship with the Creator-Master-Sustainer, with their fellow countrymen, neighbours, fellow citizens, foreigners, with the natural environment, and with their inner selves.

The Need to Develop Islamic Knowledge of Peace and Empowerment

In the context of our diverse religious and cultural landscape, the revival of the tawhidic approach to peace and empowerment is not just about internal reform; it is about positioning Islamic values as part of a broader ASEAN strategy for peace and empowerment. By bridging the gap between modern epistemologies and Islamic thought, ASEAN communities can move towards a future where peace is not merely the absence of war and conflict but a state of social justice, intellectual growth, and spiritual fulfilment for all.

It has been a real challenge for Muslim community leaders and intellectuals in the Philippines to reformulate an inclusive education system and a comprehensive set of laws to govern the affairs of Muslims within the context of a secular state. The efforts made by Muslim leaders to correct the reductionist views of secularism, which have marginalized the ethical and spiritual dimensions of Muslim public life, are well documented in Philippine studies. This struggle led to the emergence of revolutionary movements in the 1970s, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the confiscation of ancestral Muslim lands.

What we are now witnessing as a transformative experience in the Bangsamoro region is largely due to the successful integration of Islamic thought into education and governance, offering profound solutions to issues like poverty alleviation, social inequality, and inter-religious harmony. History reminds us that Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei have played significant roles in empowering Muslim community leaders and intellectuals in the Philippines.

Responses to the Problem of Contemporary Knowledge

When secular thought as embraced by the governing state has failed to offer comprehensive solutions to complex problems faced by minority communities, it becomes the concern of well-informed individuals to uproot its causes by confidently calling everyone to revisit key turning points that brought opposing ideas and culture into common terms.  This approach has been taken by a few Muslim organizations like the Ulama Council of the Philippines, Imam Council of the Philippines, and Philippine Council for Peace and Democracy to resonate the tawhidic perspective of human dignity, freedom of belief, and intellectual empowerment, especially for the youth, to the government-sponsored institutions who are mandated as agents of peace and reform. 

However, due to the weakening of Islamic institutions and overconfidence in secular ideas and approaches, an intellectual vacuum has emerged for many members of the community in their quest for identity. As a result, the rise of tribalism, ethnocentrism, and sectarianism among the 13 cultural minorities of Mindanao has led to what is now known as the “crisis in the Muslim mind.” Consciously or unconsciously, these communities have become breeding grounds for ideas and practices that favour divisiveness over the promotion of the “unity of knowledge”—a principle that ensures no one is left behind, offering a universal language for meaningful empowerment and reform. 

The real challenge for every community leader and intellectual in the region is to identify the core characteristics of Islamic education and knowledge systems that can guide the global community toward its transformative role, as seen during the cultural peaks of Islamic civilization. Certainly, the confidence shown by ASEAN member states in Malaysia’s leadership as the 2025 ASEAN chair can be attributed to many factors, one of which is the presence of a knowledge culture that respects plurality and fosters unity within diversity. 

Concluding Remark

Given the depth and width of secularism in the Philippine development studies, particularly its implications for national integration, it would be more strategic for the Philippine government, intelligentsia, and policymakers to embrace a justly balanced system that was commonly shared by Filipinos before colonialism. The real challenge is how to reinvent an alternative culture of knowledge within the context of a secular state that would provide prerogatives for policymakers to accommodate the true meaning of the integration of soul, intellect, and body via education. 

The unresolved government policies with inherent flaws due to biases and prejudices against Muslim minorities need to be addressed objectively and with sincerity on the part of the Philippine government and the Muslim communities. To deal with social integration in its fullness, we need to have a sound knowledge of human nature of which the Shariah perspective is an important dimension; knowledge about the cultural minorities and their development; knowledge of the virtues of their communities, and at the same time their inner weaknesses that can easily be exploited and corrupted by some people for evil purposes. It is important to emphasize that Muslims in the Philippines are in perpetual search of development models and thoughts. If they are not provided with comprehensive models and holistic perspectives of life, they will go for a defective role model and a false system of thought. In light of these observations, both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars and policymakers in the Philippines need to embrace a broader understanding of integration that may result in the operation of a justly balanced society in the given time and space.***

(The writer, Dr. Alizaman D. Gamon is an academic in the Department of Fundamental & Inter-Disciplinary Studies, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).)