Conversations
CONVERSATIONS is a special space for PCID staff to express their opinions on pressing issues through writing. THE AUTHOR’S OPINION DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT PCID’S POSITION ON THE SUBJECT MATTER.
Jarring Fatwa on Muslim Women’s Travels
On April 7, Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) issued a fatwa, a non-binding religious legal opinion that states that Muslim women traveling without a mahram (male guardian) is generally prohibited, as based on Hadith, the recorded sayings and ways of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), particularly the one expressing, “A woman must not travel except […]
Herstory: Filipino Women Who Broke the Glass Ceiling for Others
As a woman, I feel a deep sense of pride whenever I hear the words “first” and “woman” together. Throughout history, women have fought to be included in places that once told them they did not belong and tried to silence them. Every achievement we celebrate today is built on decades of women refusing to […]
ALL FOR GAS, GAS FOR ALL: BAYANIHAN SA GAS STATION
March 11, 2026 – Many might say that the rise in petrol prices is only a car-owner’s problem. Little did many know that many aspects of our daily lives depend on petrol. From commuting to and from work to deliveries of goods, everyone is affected by it. It’s funny how we think petrol only matters […]
Undermining Women: When Respect Gets Lost in the System
Recent reports continue to expose powerful men behaving in outrageous ways. What is truly shocking is the sheer number of respected figures who have perpetrated decades of abuse and sexual violence against women and girls. Worse still, the entitlement fueling these acts is often overlooked or minimized to the point that such behavior becomes disturbingly […]
Ramadan: Fasting and Spiritual Renewal for Intrapersonal Peace
Ramadan is one of the holiest and most transformative months for Muslims. This practice begins with a fasting period and ends with the sighting of the new moon. But beyond the religious prescription, the holy month provides a period for deep reflection and personal growth for those who truly embrace its message.
Remembering an Architect of Peace: The Legacy of Hadji Butu
February 22, 2026 – Long before the modern borders of the Philippines were etched in stone, a young man named Abd ul-Bagui Butu Rasul walked the shores of Jolo, carrying a lineage that stretched back to the 14th-century ministers of Raja Baginda. Born in 1865, the man who would become known as Hadji Butu was […]