WAMY - Philippines

By:  Leila Nur Aryanna G. Canacan

The Philippines is the only Christian-dominated country in Southeast Asia. This is an enough explanation as to why in most communities the Muslims are a minority, just like in the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Basing it on personal experiences, to meet a fellow Muslim in a class or in an organization is a rare opportunity. There is one organization though, which aims to hold together the Muslim youth in UP, the UP Muslim Students Association (UPMSA). Through the said organization, the members are able to convene as a body and discuss issues, both personal and social, concerning the Muslim youth.

It has actually been through the organization that I had the chance to meet and mingle with my fellow Muslims. Often times I am surrounded by Christian friends.

To be with them (Muslims) gave me a better assessment of the conditions of the Muslim youth in the university. As how I perceive it, the Muslims are of equal grounds with the Christians in UP. I have not heard of any rumors regarding individual discrimination. As we all know, because of the issues of terrorism in the West and in other countries as well, people automatically tag you as a terrorist once you introduce yourself as a Muslim. The case in UP, however, is different. To be a Muslim is nothing different from being a Christian. What I mean here is that you gain the same respect as they do. We are not belittled or branded as beheaders when we introduce ourselves.

The Muslims here are in a good relationship with people of other faiths. Every one of us from the UPMSA belongs to a different circle. As I have realized, those circles of friends are not purely Muslims. Yet, despite the religion differences, we are able to maintain the friendship. Perhaps one reason for this is that as I have said earlier, the community here in UP is composed of Christians in majority. Therefore it cannot be avoided that Muslims mingle with Christians. In addition to that, we also have different personalities – personalities which may clash with some, yet be with others. Perhaps it just so happen that we get along with these kinds of people.. It is a good thing for us because even in our own little ways, we change the way they (non-Muslims) see us.

The times the Muslims in UP gather are mostly during the Ramadhan. This is because every month of fasting, the UPMSA conducts “Iftar sessions”. It is open to all Muslim brothers and sisters who can come. There were even times when some brought their Christian friends to the sessions. It is in these times when we are able to pray together. If there is somebody present who can preside as an Imam, then some members have their Taraweeh in UP. The sessions are conducted in the office of the Islamic Studies. A small room in the office serves as the praying room. During Fridays, Muslims are also welcome to pray there.

There has been one issue though that the Muslims in UP have been pushing for years now - the construction of a mosque inside the campus. I do not have updates though regarding the current proposal of the mosque, but the last time we convened (around late July to early August), the proposal was still unapproved. It will be better for every Muslim in UP if we also had a mosque in the campus. There are already two churches standing inside UP but there is no mosque yet. As far as I can remember, one problem was that the school administration was asking for more researches regarding the mosque construction. The second problem was that if the proposal is already approved, the land where the mosque will be built will be rented. We ought to be financially capable to sustain the mosque. This is going to be a difficult deal because as I’ve said, we are only few.

There are so many pros with having a mosque in the campus for the Muslim youth studying here. For one, a mosque would have a greater capacity for praying compared to the single room in the Islamic Studies office. It will also be more convenient for people residing in or near UP as they need not go to places as far as Quiapo during Islamic holidays. Although we already utilize the basement of the Romulo Hall (where the Islamic Studies office is located), to gather in a religious place is much more meaningful to us than in an office. The Muslim youth in UP really would like to have a mosque in the campus. So for the three semesters I have spent in UP, these so far have been my observations of the conditions of the Muslim youth in the campus.