Intrafaith Dialogue Platform

On Promoting Peaceful Engagement and Building Resilience to Violence

One of the key initiatives supported under this project included the convening of an Intrafaith Dialogue Platform among Muslim faith-based leaders from different schools of thought and areas in Mindanao. Under this platform, the project supported the finalization of the research on Principles of Islamic Law for Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism as perceived by selected Ulama and faith-based organizations in Mindanao, which was carried out by a Technical Working Group composed of faith-based leaders from different areas in Mindanao. This research initiative focused on the following themes:

• common concepts, knowledge, and attitudes regarding violent extremism – for instance, the survey results from the research indicated that majority (90.99%) disagreed that jihad is equivalent to extremism. For most respondents, jihad is equivalent to peace, order, and development. Majority (91.63%) of respondents also agreed that Islamic leadership is a solution to eradicate extremist violence;
• key principles of Islamic law in relation to preventing and responding to violent extremism;
• Islamic leadership and the objective of Shariah;
• human rights and peace education in Islam; and,
• potential work and roles of faith-based leaders in preventing and responding to violent extremism.

The project also provided support for the conduct of the First Planning Meeting of the Faith-Based Leaders Convenors Group. During this meeting, convenors from different faith-based organizations developed plans on their work and roles in strengthening resilience to violence and promoting peaceful engagement in Bangsamoro communities. Some members of the Intrafaith Dialogue Platform have also contributed to risk communication and community engagement efforts in support of COVID-19 prevention and response in BARMM.