NewsMessage from PCID President Ms Amina Rasul Bernardo (2nd Annual International Forum on Law and Religion with theme Religious Freedom: Rights, Trends and Opportunities)

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.