For four days, 200 Muslim youth from Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon gathered to participate in the fun but challenging activities in the rolling hills of Camp Geronimo Capinipin, Barangay Sampaloc in Tanay, Rizal. Early morning work-outs, jogging, cook-out, camp fire, team building workshops, poster-making contests, and many more – this was the scene in late May 2009 when said Muslim Youth took part in the “Youth Leadership Summit for Muslims,” with its theme, “Peace and Prosperity: Our Shared Responsibility.”

   Pupils of the Madrasah-Montessori Learning Center (MMLC) for school year 2009-2010 will have the first hand opportunity of using the brand-new, air-conditioned, 2-classroom facility of the school. Located behind the chalet-type offices of the CMM Headquarters along Maharlika Road in Upper Bicutan, Taguig (bordering Maharlika Village) the simple structure boosts of wide floor area for the Montessori activities. Despite having a limited number of pupils per class (20), the Montessori Curriculum requires a big space to fully implement its daily activities and to house the materials of the prepared environment, a vital component in a Montessori classroom. A wide open space, provided for outdoor children’s activities, is also part of the school’s facilities.

   The CMM-Hamdani Day Care Program in Maharlika Village, Taguig City conducted its closing ceremonies last March 28, 2009 at the Silangan Elementary School (Annex) grounds in simple rites with special guests from CMM’s network institutions in attendance. The 226 pupils, together with their parents, relatives and friends, braved the summer heat in their toga and matching hijab and skull cap to receive their certificates.

   The University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP-IIS) conferred a posthumous award to the late UNESCO Commissioner Taha M. Basman last April 24, 2009 at the Bulwagang Sala’am, Romulo Hall in UP Diliman, Quezon City. This was in recognition of his active role in helping the Muslim community (Ummah) in terms of da’wah, education and livelihood. The award was received by his widow and their children during the Recognition Ceremonies of the said Institute.

   “Faith and Community: A Dialogue,” is an exchange program of the Indiana Center for Cultural Exchange (ICCE) sponsored by the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and the US State Department in cooperation with the Purdue University. The project focuses on how religious communities can cooperate with one another in order to contribute to positive and constructive civil discourse in ways that respect diversity and further the public good. Its previous participants, among others, were Shahana Abdulwahid (UP Student Regent), Prof. Macrina Morados (UP-IIS) and Prof. Minalang Barapantao (MSU and CMM).

   His advocacy of bridging the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims started a couple of decades ago when Prof. Taha Basman first got involved in interfaith activities. The venue was provided by the establishment of the National Recovery Program, under the administration of President Fidel Ramos. Leaders of various churches and other religious groups were called upon to carry out the task of implementing programs geared towards addressing the peace and order problem in the country including that in Mindanao. The idea was - the Filipinos, being a religious lot, tend to listen more to their spiritual leaders than to their local political ones.

   I mourn with you the loss of a man who's inner radiance shone so bright, that he touched our lives and gave us hope that everything could & would be alright.

   Prof. Taha M. Basman, Commissioner, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines and President, Center for Moderate Muslims (Philippines) passed away on January 22nd, 2009.

   CMM, headed by Prof. Taha Basman, commissioner of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Third International Conference of Muslim Leaders held last January 9-11, 2009 as a rousing success, with its theme, “Redirecting Islamic Da’wah: Addressing the Contemporary Concerns of the UMMAH (Muslim Community).”