Al Qalam Institute Proposal Concept Paper

Introduction of the Program The AB Islamic Studies program is the Islamic studies curriculum designed by Al-Qalam to respond to the relative need for scholars and technocrats in the Philippines with special emphasis on Mindanao to have a specialized set of skills in the field of Islamic studies. The focus of the program is to prepare a generation of scholars who are in the applied fields of Islamic studies, which have a clear industry need today. Moreover, the program is designed to respond to the need for scholars and peace workers in the Philippines to possess skills and knowledge in the field of Islamic studies. The program is open to Muslim and non Muslims students who are interested in studying Islam and the history of Islamic civilization. The Al Qalam Institute has this vision: Al Qalam is an institute for Islam, Muslims and peoples of Mindanao and their cultural links to Southeast Asian communities, committed to strengthen spirituality and belonging to a bigger humanity and participating actively in the co-creation and nurturing of a society founded on social justice, gender equity, multiculturalism, religious pluralism,peace and sustainable human development, as mutually shared values of the Ignatian Spirituality. The vision is in line with that of the Ateneo de Davao Universitys own Mission Statement, The Ateneo de Davao excels in the formation of leaders for the Philippine Church and society, especially for Mindanao. It excels further in the promotion of the faith that does justice, in cultural sensitivity and transformation, and in inter-religious dialogue, particularly with the Muslim and Lumad communities of Mindanao. It promotes communities touched and transformed by the faith, communities of peace and human well-being, culturally resilient yet able to adapt to the modern world. It promotes social justice, gender equality, good governance, the creation of wealth and its equitable distribution . It engages vigorously in environmental protection, the preservation of bio-diversity, and the promotion of renewable energy. It leads in Philippine educational reform, especially for the peoples of Southern Philippines.1
1 http://www.addu.edu.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=79

Analysis of the Current Needs for Islamic Education in the Philippines: Research has shown that most Muslim Filipinos face the challenge of interpreting and understanding the core values and principles of Islam in the context of modernity. This is not surprising since Filipino Muslim religious often subscribe to various Middle Eastern schools of thought, which can differ in terms of the interpretation, appreciation and application of Islamic values and principles. These variations in interpretations may be can be taught of promoting unity among Muslims, which in turn may prevent the Muslim community from fully integrating into the mainstream Philippine society. Current political developments anticipate the emergence of a new state in political relations and the establishment of new governance structures that would even more necessitate the development of a new breed of technocrats honed in principle based and transparency oriented governance. Housed by the Ateneo de Davao University, the AB Islamic Studies offers courses in entrepreneurship, leadership and governance, as well science and technology, environmental studies, agriculture and sustainable land management among others. Particularly in the areas of environment, climate, agriculture and sustainable land management. These curricular offerings will be based on both Jesuit educational principles and similar or identical Islamic values such as the principle of din (Islamic way of life) that encompasses the economic, social, cultural, as well as the political and legal foundations of human relations

Comparison of schools offering Islamic studies :

Name of Institution

Location

Classification of course and specialization BS islamic studies (foreclosed for lack of students) MA Islamic studies (generalized Masters degree)

Remarks

University of the Philippines, Diliman, Diliman Institute of Islamic Quezon City Studies

Generally students who take the MA program return to their respective institutions to teach or as an added qualification

Mindanao State University system

Tawi-tawi, Marawi

AB Islamic Studies major The shariah and in Shariah jurisprudence majors would take the shariah AB Shariah major Islamic bar exam while the Laws & Jurisprudence ones taking the BSTA program end up as BS Teaching Arabic madarris teachers

Shariff Kabunsuan College Cotabato

Cotabato City BS Islamic studies

Normally students taking up this program are those who intend to take up a career in Islamic studies as a preacher (Ustaz)

Unibersidad De Zamboanga

Zamboanga City

BS Islamic studies major The end product is the in Islamic Education creation of teachers for values education and madarris

Western Mindanao State University

Zamboanga City

AB Islamic studies (general BA curriculum plus some Islamic subjects)

The curriculum is more of a pre-law course and its graduates generally either take up education units to teach in secondary schools or proceed to law or another degree.

University of southern Mindanao

Kabaccan BS Islamic studies North Cotabato

Assessment and Findings Looking at the current trend of courses offered in Islamic studies in the country one can see the need to diversify the type of fields that Islamic scholars must focus on, since primarilly the focus have been on the highly literalist Salafi school of thought. As such, we have not seen any islamic scholar who has been a product of these institutions who has been able to focus on other existing fields of Islamic studies and has primarilly assumed roles that are traditionally not particpative in the community empowerment process. Current trends internationally like Islamic banking, Halal food industry, Islamic leadership and governance in the context of Islamic law, Multicultural relations, Islamic education (tarbiyah) as well as environmentalism has not been translated into curricular offerrings which means that scholars who come out of these institutions do not possess the nesscessary training to engage in these fields.

Course Description:

The ABIS is a four-year degree program with specialization in Political Economy. The course is composed of (1) the CHED mandated courses, (2) Ateneo de Davao University core courses and (3) Program courses. Students, in order to be conferred the degree of ABIS, must earn a total units of 214, with either 6 units of Thesis writing or On-the-Job Training. General objective: The general objective of the Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies major Political Economy is to train professionals that are knowledgeable of the theological, philosophical, social, cultural, political and economic Islamic principles and has necessary skills and competencies relevant to the demands and challenges of the nation and the world, and at the same time, persons that live the spirit of Ateneo education and servicepersons for others. As such, the program will study Islamic fundamentals including Islamic principles related to philosophy, law, culture, politics and economics, taking into consideration modern developments that affect the nation and the world. It shall also include the formation of students in the Ateneo way by including in its curriculum Ateneo core courses/subjects. The course principally aims at the formation of an Ateneo professionals with good knowledge of Islam to serve in the various fields or endeavors of modern life. Specific objectives: (1) Study Islam in the context of politics, economics and culture; (2) Formation of Ateneo professionals that possesses good knowledge of Islam; (3) Create a pool of experts and scholars who will create positive and lasting impacts in the fields of business and public management for Muslims and non-Muslims. These experts and scholars will also work toward the integration of Muslim Filipinos into the mainstream of Philippine society; and (4) Training of students/professionals both well-versed in the Arabic language and the English language. Requirements: (1) Completion of secondary education or equivalent; (2) Good academic standing in the past institution studied; and (3) Passing score on the AdDU entrance examinations. Target population: (1) (2) (3) (4) Any High School graduates; Students from NAPE-BTA-ARM; Students from Madrasah; Former MILF seeking integration into the larger community (This is part of the governments Peace Process initiative); (5) Current Ateneo students seeking a dual degree in Islamic Studies; and (6) Any qualified interested person in Islamic Studies.

Possible career options (see attachment for the matrix showing correspondence of courses and target areas of employment): (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Teaching in Academic Institutions (Islamic Studies) Islamic Business, Banking and Finance Diplomacy and Peace Studies; Post-graduate studies; and Law School