In keeping with the tradition of promoting dialogue and the use of other more effective means for the resolution of the issues besetting the Muslim Ummah, the Center for Moderate Muslims-Philippines (CMM-Phils) is holding the Third International Conference of Muslim Leaders during the second week of January 2009.  This will gather experts from pre-determined fields of interest and industries that are deserving of the attention of Filipino Muslims if the improvement of their lives as peace-loving is to continue its progress. 

     CMM-Phils has already organized two International Conferences in the last four years.  The first was in 2004 and was aimed at the establishment of the Center for Moderate Muslims.  The second was held in 2006 with the theme, “Assessment of Islamic Da’wah and Moderation in the ASEAN Region,” and with the objective of evaluating the status and popularity of the virtue of moderation among the Muslims in the relevant countries. 

     Between then and now, the attitude towards the moderate teachings of Islam has markedly changed – from being unpopular and almost unknown both to the Muslim and the non-Muslims, to being the norm.  Personalities who were the staunchest critics of the CMM and its principles have become one of its most passionate advocates and beneficiaries.  The need to extend this positive development to the other areas of concern of the Filipino Muslims becomes most crucial while the acceptability to the community of the methods espoused by CMM is at its peak. 

     From the preliminary consultations and meetings organized by the CMM-Phils, the following are the proposed sectoral concerns to be discussed during the Conference with the corresponding reasons for their inclusion:

(1)     Ulama/Da’wah.  The discussion will zero in on the issues of deviation, radicalism and disunity among the different Da’wah Groups.  The divide when it comes to matters as simple as moon-sighting to as substantive as positions on the various socio-political issues results in irreparable setbacks in the road to development;

(2)     Youth.  The conference also aims to suppress the wayward tendencies of the Muslim Youth and instead divert their energies and talents to more productive activities;

(3)     Women.  In recognition of the important roles they play in their respective families and the community at large, the conference endeavors to empower them.

(4)     Economic Opportunities.  With the growing number of Muslim traders in the country, the Conference shall introduce other entrepreneurial activities that budding business people can embark on.  It is noted that Muslim businessmen in the country still lack the initiative and courage to expand their trades to unfamiliar markets;

(5)      Tribalism/Unity.  For years, the Muslims have been known for the ethno-linguistic groups that they belong to.  The Ummah concept is now giving way to the exclusivity of the ethnic identities of the different groups – Maranaos, Maguindanaoans, Tausugs, Yakans, Samals, Kalagans, etc.  This trend has espoused divisiveness among them including a separate denomination for the Muslim converts or “Balik-Islam”.  The forum seeks to break the wall that separates and instead strive for their unification and camaraderie;

(6)     Health Facilities.  The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other areas where Muslims are the majority suffer from lack in facilities for their health and nutrition.  A discussion on how this problem can be solved will merit a portion of the Conference.  It is observed that there is no hospital or clinic owned or managed by Muslims to cater to their medical needs, especially in Metro Manila and other urban centers;

(7)     Peaceful Co-Existence/Interfaith.  Now that the information on Islam and the Muslims are becoming more readily available to the non-Muslim members of the country, the propagation of Interfaith Dialogue becomes more worthy of discussion, at the very least, to jumpstart its institutionalization in other parts of the country;

(8)     Communication/Media.  In this information age, the name of the game is to utilize media facilities to reach a greater number of ears for the propagation of the real teachings of Islam, not the distorted and deviant ones.  What steps are to be taken to have access to media facilities will be one of the discussions during the Conference.  Right now, the Muslims in Metro Manila and other Urban Centers have no TV Station, Radio Station, Newspaper and other Media facilities;

(9)     Education/Madrasah.  That change and indoctrination should begin at the very foundation of learning, i.e. the schools, is a fact.  The Conference aims to reorient the curriculum to focus on the more important values and tools needed by the Muslims to face the changing requirements of the high-tech world.  It is noted that in Metro Manila and other urban centers, there is no Muslim University to cater to the educational needs of the followers of Islam.  The Madrasah has to be improved also to become relevant to the present world.

(10)  Peace and Order.  The Mindanao Problem will also be tackled in the discussions by inviting the leaders of the Protagonists – MILF, MNLF, Government, and the other stakeholders.  Kidnapping and other criminalities can be good issues to be discussed also, to make Mindanao attractive to the investors, tourists, and the ordinary folks.

     For all these observations, the CMM has chosen the theme, “Redirecting Islamic Da’wah:  Addressing the Concerns of the Muslims” for the Conference.  It has then invited Muslim experts from both the International and the local communities to share their views on the issues at hand.  Among the International Speakers from whom the Filipino Muslims can learn a lot, owing to their experience and achievements, are the following::

1)                   Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia (Speaks Maranao fluently because he belongs to the Maranao tribe of Sarawak);

2)                   Dato Ismael Bin Mohamad – Philanthropist who owns several Madaris in Malaysia and Thailand;

3)                   Ms. Roslaini Iljas Rasuman – Retired Asian Development Bank Top Executive who now resides in Indonesia;

4)                   Amb. Tarmizi Tahir – Former Minister of Religious Affairs, Indonesia (to be confirmed);

5)                   Haji Mohd Alami Musa – President, Majlis Ugama Islamiyah Singapura (MUIS) (to be confirmed).

     The Local Speakers are meticulously chosen according to their fields of specialization.  And it is realized that we have an abundant supply of intellectuals and practitioners who can discuss with authority the topics to be considered in the Conference.  Trimming down the list is now our difficult task.

     The CMM is now sending the invitations to the participants coming from the sectors of the Ulama, Diplomatic Corps, Academe, Professionals, Businessmen, Women, Youth, Traditional Leaders, Media, and the Government who are all concerned with the issues affecting Mindanao and the Muslims in the Philippines.  This early, CMM has received so many requests from various Organizations for their inclusion as participants in this very timely Forum.  But considering the objective of having quality discussion in the Conference, the Center is limiting the number of participants to about 200 only.  We will just publish and circulate the proceedings so the public will be updated on the concerns of the Muslims.  Our friends in media, together with Marga Ortigas of Al-Jazeerah TV, also promised to attend the Conference for a wide coverage of the proceedings.

     See you at the Conference, Insha Allah!