Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) has approved the establishment of the ADDU Al Qalam Institute: An Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue.  The decision was taken on the occasion of the national celebration of Eid ul-Fitir, the end of Ramadan.  The Al Qalam Institute will be headed by Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, who will be assisted by Joseph Germin Umadhay.

“Al Qalam” means “the pen”, signalling the primarily research character of the institute, which was proposed by the University Research Council.

“As a Jesuit University, the ADDU appropriates the mission of the Society of Jesus: the promotion of the faith, the pursuit of justice consequent on the faith, sensitivity to cultures, and inter-religious dialogue,” said Fr Joel Tabora SJ, President of Ateneo de Davao University.

“The University Mission is, among others, to excel in cultural sensitivity and transformation, and in inter-religious dialogue, particularly with the Muslim and Luman communities of Mindanao.”

San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City

The Al Qalam Institute hopes to formalise in a scholastic and formative setting an avenue for Muslims to better understand their roles and responsibilities as citizens of the Philippines. In part, it also envisions the actualisation of parameters to better understand one’s self and to access a better understanding of one’s surroundings and the impact of one’s actions and decisions on other citizens.

Its objectives are:

a. To create a platform for grassroots intra-faith (between and among Muslims and fellow Muslims) and inter-faith (between and among Muslims, non-Muslims, and peoples of other faiths) dialogue within the ADDU and its community

b. To provide an avenue for articulation of present issues and concerns of Muslim communities by engaging various Muslim interest and sectoral groups into caucus and consensus building (i.e. socio-political religious exchange)

c. To engage government structures, mechanisms and laws towards inter-civilizational dialogue and peace-building (to create a more peaceful and tolerant society)

d. To facilitate Islamic knowledge production, preservation and promotion through research studies

e. To create/facilitate academic and cultural exchanges and linkages with international groups on intercultural and interreligious (interfaith) concerns

The Al Qalam Institute will be formally launched on November 6, 2011, to coincide with the Eidl Adha – which commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Isaac), as an act of obedience to Allah.