The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) was the result of concerned discussions on the compatibility of Islam and democracy among young Muslim intellectuals that included Ms. Amina Rasul, a former Cabinet member under Pres. Fidel Ramos, Atty. Nasser Marohomsalic, former Human Rights Commissioner, and the late Abraham Iribani, a former spokesperson of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and former Assistant Secretary for Local Government. Their concern on the future of democracy in Muslim Mindanao stemmed from the growing discourse that somehow Islam and democracy are not compatible originating from a vocal minority.
Established in 2002, the Council is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Islamic and democratic political thought and the search for peace, democracy and equitable and sustainable development in Muslim communities.
2010: From Council to Center
PCID made the transition from Council to Center in June 2010, an independent think tank grounded on the belief that any attempt to address the problems of Muslim Mindanao should include and should occur within the context of democracy.
Today, PCID is seen as an objective, and independent party with a track record of bringing together all sectors in the democratic dialogue for peace and development.
PCID has become an important platform for the articulation of the Moro voices through its various publications and forums focusing on the issues of the peace process, Islam and democracy, autonomy, the role of media, federalism and development. PCID has also helped influence debate and public policy through the briefings given to policy and opinion makers, multilateral agencies, the international community and donor institutions. PCID has also been invited to present Philippines and Filipino Muslim’s perspectives in many international venues.
Advocacies
Since PCID’s conception as a council to its transformation as a center, PCID’s operations have been focused on several projects and programs with our partners to address our core advocacies of PEACE, AUTONOMY & GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHTS, ELECTORAL REFORM, and SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT in and beyond the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Our Work
Bangsamoro Business and Investment Climate Workshop
PCID partners with the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) to help focus attention on Bangsamoro economic development, leading to genuine fiscal and political autonomy. FEF and PCID, funded by Australian AID, are organizing a series of workshops aimed to strengthen the business and investment climate in the ARMM, soon to become the Bangsamoro.
Noorus Salam: Woman of Faith, Light of Peace
In 2009, PCID received support from the One Woman Initiative (OWI) through the Charities for America Foundation (CAFAmerica), to implement the Empowering the Muslim Women and Aleemat Project.
The project aimed to give Muslim women, particularly the aleemat, a forum for collaborative action and discussion. The project capacitated the women on conflict prevention and peacemaking. Five regional conferences in Mindanao and Luzon were conducted which resulted to the organization of core groups which acted as regional steering committees to coordinate activities.
National Ulama Conference of the Philippines
The NUCP was born during the Second Ulama Summit attended by 211 ulama and Muslim leaders on January 26-29, 2009, at the Imperial Palace Suits Hotel, Quezon City.
PCID-Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Lecture Series
In partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, PCID has been going around the country conducting lectures and forums to engage people – particularly students, scholars, and academicians – in informed dialogs towards understanding sociopolitical and religious issues in Mindanao.
PCID has tackled issues about human rights, peace, governance, education, and Islam and democracy in the lectures delivered in different educational institutions:
University of the Philippines (Diliman, Iloilo, Davao), Ateneo (Quezon City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City), Asian Institute of Management, Mindanao State University, Western Mindanao State University, University of Asia and the Pacific, Far Eastern University, University of the East, and De La Salle University, among others.
