Our History

Established in 2002, Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Islamic and democratic political thought and the search for peace, democracy and development in Muslim communities.

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 the 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). Their concern on the future of democracy in Muslim Mindanao stemmed from the growing popularity of the discourse that somehow Islam and democracy are not compatible.

PCID, which made the transition from Council to Center in June 2010, was therefore an attempt to counter that narrative; to give emphasis to the idea 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. The convenors of the PCID include politicians, civil society leaders, government, educators, ulama, feminists, media, military, Balik-Islam, business leaders coming from all the Muslim dominant provinces of Mindanao a well as from the Muslim diaspora of Luzon.