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.” Different institutions took part in the conceptualization up to the implementation of the program: the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division of the Philippine Army, Police Community Relations-PNP, and the National Counter Terrorism Action Group, Anti-Terrorism Council (NACTAG-ATC) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), Department of Education (DepEd),), National Youth Commission (NYC), Asia America Initiative, and the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM).

   Aside from physically-challenging tasks, the Summit included Islamic Values lectures, a Qur’an Reading competition, a poster-making contest, a speech contest, and “Survivor”-type activities which the participants truly enjoyed. And despite their busy schedule, the organizers made sure that the Muslim Youth do not miss their five-time daily prayers hence providing a tent which served as a make-shift musallah (prayer place) and separate wudu (ablution) areas. Muslim elders from CMM and OMA were likewise always on call to assist the organizers and participants in their religious duties. “The Summit activities were designed not only to hone the participants’ leadership skills and physical prowess but also to make them better Muslims, conscious of their responsibilities to Allah (swt) and to the community,” according to Hadja Tahara Basman, CMM executive director.

   The opening ceremony was graced by top officials of the cooperating agencies. DepEd Undersecretary Manaros Boransing discussed the government’s program on Madrasah Education. Undersecretary Ali Sanki of the Office on Muslim Affairs encouraged the participants to unite in order to advance the cause of their fellow Muslims. As the major sponsor of the event, MGen. Fernando Mesa of the NACTAG-ATC, confirmed that the same activity will be replicated in other parts of the country.

   Muslim Speakers shared their expertise with their respective topics: Prof. Salipada Tamano (MSU and CMM) - “Brotherhood (Ikhwan) in Islam; Ustaj Elias Abdullah (CMM) - “How a Good Muslim Should Live His Life Based on the Hadith”; Commissioner Nasser Marohomsalic (formerly of the Commission on Human Rights) - “Human Rights Based on the Holy Qur’an and its Application to the Contemporary Setting”; Dr. Mashur Jundam (Dean of the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies) - “Preservation of the Environment from a Qur’anic Point of View”; Ustaj Muammar Ismael (CMM and Al-Ikhwa) - “Review on the Fundamentals of Islam”; and, Aleem Ismael Ibrahim (Dar-ul Hijrah of Cotabato) - “Ways of Moderation vis-à-vis Radicalization”.

   Ms. Baibonn Sanguid (National Youth Council) and Ms. Rohanisa Sumndad (Asia America Initiative) took turns in facilitating the team building activities of the Summit which helped strengthen the participants’ values of cooperation and unity. Hadja Khalida “Toni” Leviste (world-class equestrienne) discussed the “Role of the Muslim Youth in Times of Disaster and Relief Operations” having been very much involved with Red Cross activities.

   Major Ibra Moxir of the PNP Chaplaincy delivered the Khutbah (sermon) during the Salat’ul Jumaat (Friday Prayer) and emphasized peaceful co-existence among the youth. Other Muslim Military officers also shared their knowledge on jungle survival such as compass-reading, map-reading and other helpful activities.

   Sporting confident smiles, participants warmly received their certificates of completion during the closing ceremonies from Major General Rolando Detabali (Commander, 2ID, AFP) and Major General Jerry Jalandoni (representing Gen. Bangit, Commanding General of the Philippine Army). Medals and plaques were also awarded to winning teams and individuals. Participants were also feted to a performance by the AFP Marching Band to the delight of everyone.