Biography

Father, husband, brother, Muslim, economist, activist, writer

Mr Yusuf Ledesma is currently the treasurer of Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID). He is the spokesperson of the Balik–Islam Unity Congress.

A former La Salle University economics professor. A member of Manila’s moneyed elite, he lives in a mansion in Greenhills.

He comes from the prominent Ledesma Clan of the Philippines. He converted to Islam a few years ago because he found his God in Allah. Now, he wants to reconnect the Muslim and Christian roots all in the name of peace. He became enamored with how Muslims stick to what the prophets practiced centuries ago, unlike he says how modern Christians improvised in their worship. Becoming a Muslim was the best decision he ever made.

Mr. Ledesma and his brothers credit the spread of Islam today to Divine Predestination, i.e., Allah chose this time for the faith to spread.

He believes the country has become the breeding ground for Islamic radicals because of widespread poverty and injustice and the failure of institutions to deal with these problems.