MNLF Youth Introduces Islamic Leadership As Tool For Peace in Mindanao

“Al” Hashim

Realizing the need for deeper transformational peacebuilding activities in the grassroots, Peace and Development Advocates (PDAs) and Ulamas in Western Mindanao developed a training program on concepts and principles of teaching Islamic leadership.

The Islamic Leadership and Governance Training Program is aimed at enhancing the participation of the PDAs in the various Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) in Western Mindanao in community work, governance, human rights advocacy and gender rights among others. It is also aimed at producing leaders who, through the practice of Islamic leadership, will pioneer social change.

Supported by the GoP-UN ACT for Peace Programme, the initiative seeks to interface the mainstream governing structure with the sentiments and aspirations of the Muslim communities to fully practice their Islamic way of life, which includes leadership and governance. It intends to promote good governance, peace and development anchored on Islamic tenets and perspectives to heal the wounds of conflict in Western Mindanao.

Why Islamic Leadership?

To understand why “Islamic”, it is essential to know what the word “Islam” means. From the root word “Salam”, it means peace. And from another Arabic word “Aslim”, it means to surrender or to submit.

Technically, it means to submit oneself to the Will of God. Hence, Islamic Leadership is a kind of leadership style which is based on the natural law of God for humans to act as vicegerent on earth. Its objective is to preserve harmony and balance through submission to the universal laws of God that already operate in nature and followed by all creations.

Holy Quran (2:30)

Behold, your Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- While we do celebrate Your praises and glorify Your Holy (name)?” He said: “I know what you know not.”

Islamic Leadership is a system of life which is geared towards the development of the human intellect in the society by setting up an equitable social system that operates around a universal framework of law, motion, and direction (LMD).

The training on Islamic Leadership and Governance is guided by the Universal Message of Islam in the Holy Quran which calls on human beings to work for harmony and peace. It is guided by the message of Islam which calls for understanding among the different peoples of the world. To recognize the individual differences as the best of mankind in the sight of God (Allah) is the one who is most righteous. No focus is given to any particular race, tribe, or nationality.

Holy Quran (49:13)

O people, we have created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of God is the most righteous. God is Omniscient, Cognizant

Holy Quran (5:48)…Had God willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations (Law) He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To God is your final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.

Again the training is guided by the Message of freedom in the Holy Quran.

Holy Quran (2:256)

Let there be no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from error: Whoever rejects evil and believes in God (Allah) has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God (Allah) hears and knows all things.

In conflict-affected areas, the tendency of most development interventions is to provide basic necessities of the communities – mostly livelihood and infrastructure projects.
making community workers wonder why the interventions failed to sustain peace and development.

The Islamic Leadership and Governance Training Program focuses on encouraging the people to participate and cooperate in all developmental works using Islamic principles found in the Holy Quran.

This program on Islamic governance in Western Mindanao is still a work in progress. It is not an effort to convert people to Islam. Rather, it is a program that teaches people to use God’s given gifts in life for peace and harmony.

Thirty Six (36) PDCs in Western Mindanao have undergone training on Islamic Leadership. Most of the participants came from the barangay local government unit, religious sector (Muslim & non-Muslim), women and youth sector. Islamic Leadership has also been showcased in the Municipality of Tangkal, Lanao del Norte.

To date, the core of trainers for the Islamic Leadership and Governance are the Western Mindanao Federation of Peace and Development Advocates Alliances, the Lanao del Norte Peace and Development Advocates Alliance, the Zamboanga City PDA Alliance, the Zambonaga del Sur PDA Alliance, the MUNCALA Peace and Development Advocates Alliance, the Pakigdait Inc., the SIOCON PDA Alliance and The United Elders for Peace, Security & Development Inc., based in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.