Comm. Basman and Prof. Thomas Michel of Georgetown University shook hands as the CMM Consultants watched happily to welcome the American visitors.

     Muslim Leaders and Scholars from international universities in the United States visited the CMM headquarters and its community in Maharlika Village, Taguig City last December 1, 2008.  CMM President, Comm. Taha M. Basman, personally welcomed the guests coming from: Georgetown University – Washington D.C., Purdue University – Indiana , Chicago University – Chicago, Notre Dame University , and Indiana University in Indiana.  The visitors savored on simple Muslim local delicacies and a video presentation of CMM activities nationwide and a presentation of native dances by the CMM-Hamdani Day Care Pupils.  Together with the local ulama and Muslim leaders, the delegates also shared important issues regarding Muslims, both local and in international perspectives, and the possibilities of fostering linkages with it for future collaboration.  A short visit to its Madrasah-Day Care Center and Computer Literacy Program also followed.

     According to Fr. Stephen Lo, Director of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines, “we have recommended the Center for Moderate Muslims --Philippine as one of the best institutions in the country that put forward programs for the development of the Muslims and visit to your office is a must with other Institutions…”

     The visit was in line with an exchange program with local partners that include the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, Ateneo de Manila, University of Santo Tomas and Focolare School of the Oriental Religions in Tagaytay City. The aim of the program is to promote understanding among its international partners regarding Islam and interfaith relations as well as the conflicts going on in these two countries.

     The Muslim members of the American delegations are experts in Islam in America and are involved in Muslim-Christian Interfaith Dialogues.  Hence the visit provided an avenue for inter-religious activities as well as active involvement in providing social services to the Muslim communities in the country;

      Early this year, its local participants in return learned more about Islam in the United States as well as the enriching interfaith relations among its religious groups. CMM Consultant Minalang Barapantao, Prof. Macrina Morados and UP Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid were among the delegates from the Philippines. 

     The American visitors included:

        1.  Muneer Fareed, Executive Council Member of the Islamic Society of  North America (ISNA) and is currently the Secretary General

        2. James Barnett, OP, Associate Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church at Purdue University

        3. Zahid H. Bukhari, Director, American Muslim Studies Program at The Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University

        4. Edward E. Curtis I Millennium Scholar of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University

        5. Liese Hilgeman, Outreach and Program Coordinator for the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program at Indiana University

        6. Tom Michel, S. J., Woodstock International Fellow, Georgetown University

        7. Donald W. Mitchell, Director of the Indiana Center for Cultural Exchange

        8. Gerald Shively, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University

        9. Evalyn Tennant, Associate Director of the Center for International Studies at the University of Chicago

       10. Rafia Zakaria , Associate Director of Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MIA), and Director of MIA’s Women’s Fund..