The Cagayan leg of the Salaam Regional Workshops saw participants from Northern Mindanao and its surrounding regions to work together for peace. Young Moro leaders from Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Marawi were enjoined to create their own social media campaigns involving a concept that is close to their hearts.

These workshops have been integral to the project’s thrust to create safe spaces for the youth. This is two-fold; with the youth being fluent in the usage of social media, the content that they are subjected with on this platform also influences them to think or act a certain way.

This then affects how their behavior is like when they are offline, and in settings where they are involved in the community. Violent extremist actors are present in social media and have used it as a way to prey on the youth’sA idealism and sense of camaraderie.

The Salaam project team gathered these youth at Apple Tree Resort at Opol, Misamis Oriental, where they were subjected to our formative-technical workshop design. Here the focus was on the youth; their hopes, their dreams, and their initiatives.

Like the Zamboanga and Davao legs, these participants were able to participate and create their own local initiatives and programs. Their topics of interest ranged from bridging inter-religious differences, to combating fake news and addressing violent extremism in the Toril (Islamic Boarding School).

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Do you have any more signs of empowered youth that you’d like to share? Message us at @AlQalamInst on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the discussion going!

The Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia participated in the 1st UP-IIS International Exploratory Workshop And Conference last September 21-22, 2018. Day 1 focused on the “Workshop on Publication Opportunities on Islam in Southeast Asia”, while Day 2 discussed “The Role of the State, Education, Community Outreach, Responsible Media, and Religio-Cultural Dialogues in Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).”

Other topics discussed included the Muslim history and identity, Shariah Law and the relationship of Islam to other religions, the governance of state, and the culture, education and dynamics of Islamic society. Presenters came from UPD-IIS, Ateneo de Davao University, La Trobe University, Australia and Florida State University, USA.

Two papers, namely “The Social Media Habits of Members of Muslim Student Associations in the Three Atenean Consortium Universities in Mindanao” and “A Baseline Survey on the Leadership Role of Muslim Religious Leaders in the Philippines” were presented by Al Qalam staff Kristelle Alina Rizardo and Nur Hussain Maba, respectively.

Al Qalam staff are pictured here with the 4th year AB Islamic Studies students, as well as their Program Coordinator, Ustadz Janor C. Balo.

The event was also an opportunity to expose the AB Islamic Studies fourth year students of the Ateneo de Davao University on a national scale, and to further network with concerned stakeholders on the state of the Bangsamoro and the research of different academic institutions and groups.

The event was organized by the University of the Philippines Diliman – Institute of Islamic Studies, led by its Dean, Prof. Macrina Morados, and moderated by Prof. Nassef Manabilang Adiong.

The first ever sentence that I learned in Tausug was “Kalasahan ta kaw.” My cousin Alwida was staying with my mother and I for the summer, and my father was due to visit me in the coming months. I wanted to learn to greet him in his first language, to express my love and admiration for a man who, even though I truly loved him, I had never fully gotten to know.

I was eleven years old, and this was the first time Tausug was ever spoken in my home by someone other than my Dad. My relationship with him mirrors the relationship I have had with Islam – one of wonder, of awe, and yet, I have always been hesitant to set my foot through that door. Although I was raised in Catholic institutions and traditions, I was always regarded as “half-Muslim.” In short, I was treated as an ‘other’ even in my own community.

“You are not half of anything, anak.” My mother would chide. “You are not half this, or half that. You are both Moro and Christian, and you should never forget it.”

What would we do without the wisdom of mothers? For the longest time, she was the only person in my life who actively encouraged my getting to know Islam. She particularly reminds me of Fatima Zahra, the most blessed of women, and the originator of the name my mother chose for herself when she married my father. It was why she invited my cousin Alwida that summer – although my mother was not raised in that religion, she knew the importance of my being aware of it.

It is with those experiences that led me to Al Qalam. I have come a long way from where I was at eleven, the meek, shy, and socially anxious child that I was. Most of my colleagues cannot imagine it, and I cannot blame them.

And yet, when I was asked to present and speak on the concept of #MPower, even as I helped to develop it, I was hesitant. I am a writer at heart, and my speaking voice annoys most people. How were our participants going to receive that message? It was important to ground them in something that they can relate to. Would I be able to connect to them?

I felt I could not speak for Islam, even though it is even more dear to my heart now that my father has since passed on, and is now with my mother in Jannah. The only words that I could share to these participants, all rosy-cheeked and eager smiles, were the fact that, once upon a time, I was also looking for my own identity.

But my colleagues had the utmost confidence in me, and so I swallowed my apprehension and did what I did best: tell stories. And, of these stories, I chose to tell my own in the hope that it translated well to others. I told them of the long road that came with my being empowered, the importance of reaching out and opening up to others. Of pain, and sorrow, and success, and gaining the strength to take back one’s own narratives.

Muslims are not the violent, savage, barbaric heathens as portrayed in the media. Muslims are my father, my Inah, my Apah Masir, my aunts and cousins and their wives and their children. They are leaders, artists, intellectuals, ordinary people with hopes and fears just like everyone else. But, we need to call for a collective message, one of peace and community and change. A closed fist is more powerful than five raised fingers.

What I did not expect, also, is the rush of emotion and empathy that happened in me when I shared my story. As I have wanted to empower them, they have empowered me, as well. It made me embrace the young Tausug woman writer that I am, and that I proud of my family and my heritage.

With sharing one’s story, the empowerment that comes from feeling like someone is listening is critical. Our participants are brilliant, creative, idealistic young leaders. They all have their own stories and paths to take. I am ecstatic at the thought of being able to listen and share these experiences with other people, and it is a legacy that the Salaam Regional Workshops hopes to inculcate in others.

Please also share your stories under the banner of #SalaamRegionalWorkshop and #MPower; we at Al Qalam and Salaam Movement would be very glad to hear them. That way, we can change our narrative, one story at a time.

I am Kristelle Alina Rizardo Omar, I am Tausug, I am a Moro woman, and I choose to #MPower.

Magsukul tuud, and kalasahan ta kaw!

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Kristelle Alina Rizardo is the communications specialist of the Al Qalam Institute of the Ateneo de Davao University. 

Do you have any more signs of empowered youth that you’d like to share? Message us at @AlQalamInst on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the discussion going!

The Davao leg of the Salaam Regional Workshops took place on September 8-9, 2018 at Cicada Hills, Davao-Bukidnon Road. Members of the Ateneo de Davao University’s Salam Organization, the Ateneo Islamic Studies Student Association, the Inter-School Muslim Organization, and students of AdDU Mass Communication came together under the banner of Generation MPower: #MPowering Youth in Social Action.

The creation of safe spaces is especially important to Muslim students, especially when the narratives surrounding young Moro leaders and of Mindanao in the national media lean towards violent extremism. Because of that, there is a need to empower them to provide positive narratives and campaign for mainstream acceptance.

Our workshops delved into both inspirational and technical instruction. Art therapy was used as a means to have these young leaders create images that reflected their perception of Mindanao; the dignity of the self and the bridging of the ideal person was discussed, and talks on social media campaigning and engagement were tackled during this two-day activity.

Their final output included the pitching of each groups’ social media campaigns, focusing on a specific issue close to their hearts. The Salam Organization chose to tackle Islamophobia and casual racism with their “SCRAM: Stop Casual Racism Against Muslims” campaign.

ISMO chose to discuss the inner conflict caused by tribalism in their organization aptly named TRYBALISMO.  The Mass Communication students proposed “Be InBOLved”, a social media campaign to raise awareness for the upcoming Bangsamoro Organic Law. Lastly, the AISSA students chose to tackle the misconceptions regarding their course through “MBrace to Erase.”

With this experience and camaraderie among the participants, we hope to have imbibed a sense of self-confidence and assurance in their activities. Moving forward, we are looking at mobilizing these youth to promote a better Bangsamoro society.

Do you have any more signs of empowered youth that you’d like to share? Message us at @AlQalamInst on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the discussion going!

The second round of our Salaam CVE regional workshops was held at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City last August 25-26, 2018.  The first leg was a successful pilot application of the redesigned module for the workshop series.

The two-day event was facilitated by Mr. Matias Regis and Mr. Prime Deles of Mindanaoan Youth Development Center (MYDC), with Mr. Brian Adam Anay of I am Mindanao, Ms. Fatima Star Lamalan of Salaam Project, and Ms. Kristelle Rizardo of Al Qalam as speakers on their respective topics.

MindaNOW: Through the Youth Lens

The first workshop called MindaNOW: Through the Youth Lens used art as a way of looking at the definition of Mindanao according to the youth in the discussion of current local and national issues in an aim of developing a common understanding of the role of the youth in such issues.

#MTalk

A talk show-style segment called MTalk featured the leaders of the various participating organizations, namely: Ateneo de Zamboanga University Muslim Students Association headed by Mr. Al-Mahdi Mohdshaid and Ayesha Musa, Salaam Organization headed by Ms. Sheida Kaola Idjilani, and the SK Federation of a local community in Zamboanga headed by Ms. Darlene Joyce Bajado.

Al-Wasatiyyah: The Ideal Ummah

Following the MTalk are the inputs from the Karamah Institute for Law, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution shared by Ms. Fatima Star Lamalan, who is an alumna of such institute. A most of the whole Karamah package is jurisprudential, the talk only revolved around one identified topic, Al-Wasatiyyah, which emphasized the need to be actively on the middle of all top and bottom and right and left extremes.

I Am Mindanao Workshop

I am Mindanao’s Mr. Adam Anay and Ms. Kristelle Rizardo then provided very useful inputs for the participants’ campaigns that they worked on the next whole day, with the help of the whole Regional Workshops Team during their presentations.

During my teenage years, I was once told by my father that helping others is obligated in every Muslim. This way, one becomes a better Muslim. This became a driving force as to why I entered Siraj in my undergraduate years at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.

From then, I  imbibed the sense of helping others in all that I do. This is  especially prevalent when asked from a fellow Muslim. I did not hesitate to extend my hand to them when they needed it. What I am also grateful for is the fact that they reciprocate our generosity.  We have received so much help in times of difficulty. As what the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said in the hadith: Whoever helps ease someone in difficulty, Allah will make it easy for him in this world and in the Hereafter.

My sense of helping developed into volunteering when I entered college in a Jesuit university. Xavier University taught us to be compassionate, and to have empathy for the community.

During our theology classes, we learned about ‘sadaka’ (charity) which we are lucky to conduct community service of our choice. We served a muslim community with less privileged children. The moment we see faces of smiling children makes up our day. Nothing feels as good or as rewarding when we recite the word Alhamdullilah!  

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Nur Hussain Maba is the Program Officer of the Al Qalam Institute of the Ateneo de Davao University. He is a graduate of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, with an AB English major. He is an alumni of Siraj, the Muslim Student Association of XU.

Do you have any more signs of empowered youth that you’d like to share? Message us at @AlQalamInst on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the discussion going!

The 2nd BYC was convened on July 5, 2018 at the Ateneo de Davao University as a means to gather the sentiments of the youth in support of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Moreover, this was an avenue to showcase the peacebuilding efforts and advocacy of each represented area. Representatives from Davao, Gensan, Cotabato, Marawi, and Zamboanga were present.

The session started with Atty. Faye Risonar-Bello’s account of the focus group discussions of key people in the university about the BBL. This was important as it helped the youth to gain an understanding of the future of their regions, and how they would be affected by the said laws.

These youth were then able to share their sentiments on whether this law would significantly impact P/CVE efforts in their communities. They agreed that the proposed bill needed to be compliant with the sentiments of the people, especially in regards to their economic well-being. Without these provisions, conflict will arise.

Afterwards, breakout sessions were held. They were tasked to create communication plans that would help to promote peace and prosperity in their communities. This included using social media as a tool to help reach these far-flung communities, as well to as educate others on the proposed bill.

These communication materials and collateral plans were intended to promote their communities, sentiments, and advocacies. They insisted on a bill that is not “watered down” in any way. The majority of the youth present believed that more legislation and communication was needed to those on the ground, to help bring awareness on historical injustices and bring peace and order to a decades-long struggle for self-determination in their own communities.

You know it when you see it. There are some young leaders out there that have that special factor about them — they are confident and inspiring, but never arrogant or rude. They seek to uplift their local communities and promote development in any ways they can.

When the head, heart, and hands align, that is an example of an empowered youth. It’s often easier said than done, but with a little effort, you too can empower people.

When an empowered youth uses their head, they can use their education and skills to help the community. They can do this by helping to plan and coordinate with their local leaders and organizations, brainstorming initiatives and programs that can help benefit all.

A heart for helping others is also key to an empowered youth. Without a heart to guide them, no advocacy or program would ever continue. When your heart is in the right place, whatever you do will be done with purpose.

Both head and heart will need action to pursue their goals. This is where one’s hands come in; they can bring to action any idea and advocacy that one can plan out. More hands mean more action towards your goals — something that the youth, with their sense of urgency, can appreciate.

In order to truly empower others, the head, heart, and hands should align. You should plan an action with a sense of purpose and goals in mind, and then have the hard work and determination to pursue these goals. This can be said and done even for the youth, and the young at heart. With these points to guide you, one’s advocacy and community will have a bright future ahead.  

We, the Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia, celebrate the ratification of both our legislative bodies of the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In this, we would like to thank efforts of the President, the House, the Senate, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as well as the public and private sector groups that have urged, debated, and fought for an inclusive law that is reflective of the people it serves.

This milestone in our Bangsamoro history is also a sign of unity and progress. It is an antidote to the years of conflict and strife, and will hopefully usher in a new era of healing and understanding between all Filipino peoples. We would like to enjoin all our partners in peace-building to work together, for the Bangsamoro, towards meaningful change.