For PCID Convenor, civic leader, and humanitarian advocate Samira Gutoc, the Marawi siege is not a distant memory. It is a lived experience and a continuing crisis. Speaking at a 2025 World Refugee Day panel titled “Stories of Displacement: Palestine & Beyond,” organized by the Palestine Collective and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy at De La Salle University, Ms. Gutoc’s account of the Marawi siege served as a mirror that reflected cracks in the broken system of the Philippines. 

“There was no structural support to bring people, senior citizens, pregnant women to a form of transportation,” she says. “It was like a death march, with 6-12 hours of walking from Marawi to a place of light. From Marawi to a place of resettlement. From Marawi to a place where you can seek refuge and safety.” 

A native of Marawi herself, Samira Gutoc provides a firsthand account of the systemic neglect IDPs face in national policymaking. “There have been no structural laws to address displacement from calamity and conflicts between people,” she stressed, pointing to a critical gap in legislative protection and long-term support. 

Amid this silence, Ms. Gutoc finds importance in the role of interfaith dialogue, an essential tool in mending and uniting communities. “In Islam, love means that if you kill one person, it is as if you kill the whole of humanity. In Christianity, they say to love thy neighbor as thyself. In Jew, love yourself as if you love your neighbor.” Although these quotes come from different religious books, they all hold the same essence. “There is no difference between the three Abrahamic religions,” she added, highlighting humanity’s shared capacity for compassion, respect, and peace, despite diversity and differences.

Ms. Gutoc also recalled the story of Father Terisito “Chito” Suganob, a Christian priest held captive during the siege. Muslim leaders swiftly ordered his rescue, risking their lives to save someone of a different faith.  At the same time, Christian volunteers rushed into Iligan City, under martial law, to aid thousands of displaced Muslim evacuees. As a rescue volunteer herself, Ms. Gutoc saw these acts of courage and solidarity firsthand. These stories, she emphasized, show how interfaith action can persist even in times of war.

But displacement, she added, is not a singular event. “Displaced persons continue to be fundamental stories that we, and the youth, must continue to champion and rally,” she said. Displacement serves more than physical ties; it threatens the survival of identity, tradition, and culture. In Marawi, for example, weaving is more than an art form. It is a vibrant expression of resilience, history, and community. Yet, for many displaced children, the opportunity to learn this tradition is lost.

Thus, storytelling becomes an act of preservation and resistance. The voices of IDPs must not only be heard; they must be woven into the fabric of law and protected through deliberate action. Ms. Gutoc’s call is clear: justice must be rooted in compassion, and peace must be interlaced with faith. Only then can displaced communities begin to rebuild not just homes, but also lives.

At the Special Forum, leaders and advocates from Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions gathered to strengthen regional collaboration for peace and security. This event provided a vital platform for exchanging experiences, exploring shared priorities, and establishing meaningful partnerships that transcend borders. The Special Forum aimed to build a network of support, commitment, and action to advance the WPS agenda and create a safer, more inclusive world for all.

Speakers Included:

• Amina Rasul-Bernardo, President of PCID
• Nurul Izzah Anwar, representative of the Government of the Day of Malaysia
• Dr. Gloria Jumamil-Mercado, a member of ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR)
• H.E. Artauli RMP Tobing, Indonesian Representative of ASEAN – IPR Advisory Board
• H.E. Koung Sorita, Secretary of State, Cambodia Ministry of Women’s Affairs
• Mitra Modaress, Representative of The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID
• Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah, Country Director for the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN)
• Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE, Founder and CEO, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
• Norul Mohamed Rashid, Policy Advisor from UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Special Thanks to Partners

For the Special Forum, PCID thanks our partners, namely:

• Brigham Young University (BYU) International Center for Law and Religion Studies
• International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID
• Sasakawa Peace Foundation
• The Asia Foundation
• Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines (WSAP)
• University of the Philippines Law Center
• University of the Philippines Women Lawyers’ Circle
• University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance
• Mindanao State University
• United States Institute of Peace
• Embassy of Switzerland
• The Australian Government
• The United Nations Development Programme
• The United Kingdom Government

Core Organizing Partners

For the overall ICWPS, PCID collaborated with:

• Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
• Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
• Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU)
• Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)
• Presidential Communications Office (PCO)
• UN Women
• ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR)

Together, we are building stronger regional networks for a more peaceful and inclusive future.

#ICWPS2024 #WomenPeaceSecurity #BridgingRegionsForWomenPeaceSecurity

March 23, 2021 Tuesday 3:30PM-6:30PM

The Community for Christian Meditation (Philippines). Filipino Muslims and Christians in Conversation with

Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB
Spiritual Director
World Community for Christian Meditation

Cardinal Orlando Quevedo
Retired Roman Catholic
Bishop of Cotabato

Ms. Amina Rasul, M. A.
President and Lead Convenor
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy

Dr. Ma. Teresa Guingona-Africa
Executive Director
The Peacemakers Circle Foundation

Prof. Julkipli Wadi
Former Dean
Institute for Islamic Studies of the University of the Philippines

Datu Yusuf Ali Morales
Former Commissioner
National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

point person: Mariel Francisco <marielnfrancisco@gmail.com>

The bush fires in Australia, that started in September 2019 was a tragedy that has impact on all of us. As well, the eruption of Taal Volcano and other calamities around the world have caused untold human suffering. Australia has been a good friend to the Philippines, supporting development, good governance, capacity building for civil society and women, and peace in Mindanao. Even if we cannot provide material support, let our prayers show we care for them. UPIIS in particular has been receiving Sadaqa for Iftar program during Ramadan organized by Australian Muslim Community in Melbourne. To pray for our fellow Filipinos who have been devastated by the Taal Volcano eruptions. As of now, the impact of Taal Volcano on their lives and livelihood is already estimated at 7.6 billion pesos in Batangas alone. The UP-Institute of Islamic Studies (UP-IIS), the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) and UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, organized an Ecumenical Prayer to provide spiritual support to our suffering brethren impacted by these natural calamities, wherever they may be. At the very heart of the ecumenical movement is the power of prayer, that we may all be one. Enable us to journey in prayer affirming our solidarity with others, living in these present situations, experiencing the same problems and sharing the gift of reconciliation. The prayers was held at UP Carillon Plaza, along Osmeña Avenue, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City on Friday, January 24, 2020.

On behalf of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, I extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim brethren celebrating Eid al-Adha.

We celebrate Eid al-Adha to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and willingness to sacrifice his first son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to Allah. It is an opportune time to reflect on the lessons of sacrifice, selflessness, charity, and to appreciate life’s many blessings.

During this day, let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Marawi who are displaced by conflict and living in oppressive conditions.  Let us also pray for our fellow citizens of Busbus, Walled City, and Lambayong in Jolo who have lost all material possessions in the fire that raised their community to the ground.

Let us pray that with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Muslim communities of Mindanao will finally find the peace and self-rule they have sought for decades.

May the spirit of this Holy Day be shared not just among Muslims but to all peoples and all faiths. From all of us here at PCID, Eid Mubarak.

From its modest antecedent as a council in 2002, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy was established amid global and domestic challenges  confronting Islam and Muslims. The articulation of the perspectives of Mindanao-based constituencies, particularly the Moros and IPs, on issues that impact  the region and its people, and the encouragement  of discourse between Muslims and non-Muslims on such issues, have been  long standing goals of PCID.

Today, we face similar challenges, as we grapple with the egregious impact of violent extremism in our country and in the ASEAN region, and address the clamor for establishing stronger democratic institutions and the rule of law in the conflict-affected region of Muslim Mindanao.

We welcome the continuing partnership with the University of the Philippines Law Center and the Brigham Young University in encouraging the relevant discourse on law and religion, especially as we look towards strengthening the region of autonomy for the Bangsamoro and  formulating  a national action plan for the prevention of violent extremism.

The ensuing presentations on the myriad of issues arising from the convergence of law and religion will certainly provoke intellectual exchange of diverse opinions.  We hope the interest generated will yield a scholarly review of current policies that impact the rights of minorities,  advocate for social cohesion as requisite for the resiliency of democratic institutions  and continue the discourse on the interface of law and religion.

Programme

2nd Annual International Forum on Law and Religion with theme

Religious Freedom: Rights, Trends and Opportunities.

14 June 2018 | Thurs | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

4th Floor Henry Sy Sr. Hall, University of the Philippines BGC Auditorium, Taguig City

The Judges for the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) Prize announced on March 17 the Winners for the 2013 Prize, awarded by the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Foundation of Jordan. The World Interfaith Harmony Week is a celebration adopted by the United Nation, which was proposed by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2010. This is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word Initiative, which started in 2007. It calls for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue, based on two common fundamental religious Commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbor; without having to compromise their basic religious tenets. The WIHW provides a platform for all interfaith groups and groups of goodwill to become aware of each other to build and improve their relationships, and strengthen their movement and positions by building ties and avoiding duplicating each other’s efforts.

The prime mover of A Common Word Initiative, a ground-breaking interfaith dialogue vehicle from the Muslim World, is Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan.

The distinguished panel of judges included H.R.H. Princess Areej Ghazi; H.B. Patriarch Theophilus III – Patriarch of the Holy City, Palestine and Jordan; H.E. Bishop Munib Yunan – Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and President of the World Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches; Father Nabil Haddad – Founder and Executive Director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre; Dr. Minwer Al-Mheid – Director of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought; Mr. Nabil Al-Sahib – First Deputy of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought; Mr. Aftab Ahmed – Office Director of the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.

• First Prize Winner: $25,000 Grand Prize and a gold medal will be awarded to the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna for their event ‘Imam and Pastor from Vengeance to Forgiveness’ in Nigeria
• Second Prize Winner: $15,000 Prize and a silver medal will be awarded to the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy for their event ‘A Common Word Towards A Common Peace’ in the Philippines
• Third Prize Winner: $5,000 prize and a bronze medal will be awarded to the Department of National Unity and Integration for their event ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week Malaysia 2013’ in Malaysia

According to the announcement, “In judging, the judges were mindful particularly of those who had the courage to hold events in areas marked by recent interfaith tension or conflicts. They took into consideration efforts made despite scantiness of resources, but also took into consideration the excellence of efforts. They further took into consideration whether events were consistent with the text of the U.N. Resolution establishing the Prize”

PCID organized simultaneous interfaith dialogues focusing on the message of A Common Word, conducted in 4 Philippine cities.

In the National Capital Region, the event was held at the PCID Conference Room, NCPAG Annex Building Conference Room, University of the Philippines, Quezon City. In Zamboanga City, it was held at the Women Support Center, RT Lim Boulevard, Zamboanga City, In Cebu City, at National Commission on Muslim Filipino (NCMF) Office, Cebu City. In Iligan City, at Mahad Al-Nur Al-Islamiya, Ceanuri Village, Camague, Iligan City.

Surprised and joyful, PCID President Amina Rasul said she was contacted by the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought on March 17 while she was spending a family day in Tagaytay. “The announcement was a truly pleasant surprise amidst these weeks of sorrow and tensions”, she said.

She said that PCID worked very closely with the Noorus Salam to implement the event. PCID has been providing capacity building for the Noorus Salam, an organization of Muslim women religious teachers and civil society leaders. One of their shared advocacies is to propagate the meaning of A Common Word and the true relevance of interfaith harmony to attaining peace. PCID was supported by the Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc (MKFI), a Foundation that promotes literacy as the vehicle for peace and development in Muslim Mindanao.

Judges received 64 applications for the prize from the 363 events held worldwide.

Related News:

• http://www.samarnews.com/news2013/mar/c588.htm
• http://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/newspost/phl-think-tank-wins-silver-at-world-interfaith-harmony-week/
• http://www.acommonword.com/a-common-prayer-for-a-common-peace/
• http://balita.ph/2013/03/19/philippine-based-muslim-ngo-wins-international-award/