ENGAGING THE ISLAMIC WORLD PROGRAMME

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The EIW Programme in the Philippines focuses on strengthening Muslim Communities in Mindanao and to partner with them in countering extremist interpretations of Islam.  

The years 2004 though 2008 saw this programme supporting capacity building projects towards effective local governance and civil-society empowerment in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), specifically in the areas of Basilan, Lanao Norte, Lanao Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.  The future of this programme in the Philippines seeks to bolster efforts in consolidating the tradition of Islamic Leadership in Southeast Asia and institutionalising its practice in mainstream Philippine Society.  It also supports the establishment of an assembly of Muslim Leaders to offer guidance and direction to Filipino Muslims as well provide a voice for the latter as they participate in the larger national discourse.  The efforts supported by this fund seek to define and institutionalise the practice of Islamic Leadership in Southeast Asia and establish a National Assembly of Darul Ifta.

Capacity Building in Local Governance and Civil Society Empowerment

Local Poverty Reduction Action Teams (LPRAT)

Strengthened local governance in 46 LGUs of ARMM (Maguindanao-9, Shariff Kabunsuan-4, Basilan-6, Sulu-13, Tawi-tawi-5, Lanao Sur-9) by building the capacity of Local Poverty Reduction Action Teams in Project Development and Management

Partners:

• Local Government Academy (LGA)
• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
• UP Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG)
• UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG)

ARMM Community Policing Project: Model Police Station in Marawi City

• Trained 320 Police Personnel and Barangay Leaders in dealing with complaints and cases (90), community policing (90), witness protection (120), and crisis management (10)
• Provided a venue for police personnel to interact with the community through 3 multi-sector forums and 30 radio chat show broadcasts in a 12 month period
• Partner:         The Philippine National Police, Program Management Office

Peace Enabling Actions for Community Empowerment in Mindanao (PEACE- Mindanao)

• Built the capacity of non-government organisations, peoples organisations, Ulama and traditional community leaders, women and youth in sustaining understanding and collaborative peace initiatives among and within Muslim and Christian communities affected by displacement in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.
• Partner:       Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

Giving a Voice to Muslim Filipinos by Institutionalising Islamic Leadership

Islamic Leadership Framework

• 12 Academic and Islamic Institutions in the Philippines (10), Malaysia (1), and Indonesia (1) competent in running a Curricula on Islamic Leadership that is representative of the views and experience of Muslims in Southeast Asia
• 150 Islamic leaders effectively addressing a societal divide and 10 Islamic Leadership Fellows causing demonstrable improvement in 10 Muslim Communities 
• A Southeast Asian Conference among a network of Academic and Islamic Institutions promoting Islamic Leadership in the region
• Partner:        The Asian Institute of Management- TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Societal Divides of the AIM-Scientific Research Foundation  

Empowering Muftis and Ulama

This fund seeks to support the following:

• Organisation of a National Assembly of Darul Ifta in the Philippines with a membership of 150 Muftis
• Train some of its members in organisational development 
• Enable the Assembly to create links with relevant Government Agencies and Non-government Organisations
• Partner:      Philippine Center for Islamic Democracy