By Rexcel John Sorza, IOL Correspondent
MANILA — Da`wah books, booklets, VCD’s and CD’s are not only answering the questions of Pilipino Muslims about their religion but also introducing the Muslim faith to curious non-Muslims in the largely Catholic Southeast Asian nation.
“We cannot afford to have these books, booklets, pamphlets, and so on printed by our community,” Ustadz Ali Imam, of a Manila-based association of Muslim reverts, told IslamOnline.net.
“So our only option is to seek help from abroad.”
Many Islamic organizations in the country approach leading religious bodies in Muslim countries to obtain da`wah material.
The tools come in a variety of forms including books, compact discs, pamphlets and leaflets.
Ustadz Imam notes that over the past four years his association has received volumes of the Holy Qur’an and books on Islam from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates among others.
“What usually happens is that Filipinos present in that country act as our communication line to concerned organizations there,” he explained.
“So what we do is we send a formal letter requesting their help in terms of these learning materials. Then, we send them the profile of our organization, how many can be helped, why these and that are needed.”
The Muslim activist stressed that in most cases the foreign charities ship them the materials free-of-charge.
“And we are really thankful for that.
“Had it not been for this help, we would not be able to achieve what we have achieved now.”
Largely Catholic Philippines has an estimated Muslim minority of around eight million or ten percent of the population.
Islam was practiced in the Philippines before the Spanish converted many to Catholicism in the 1500s.
Helpful
Ustadz Imam noted that some organizations in Muslim countries take the initiative and approach Filipino organizations offering help.
“These are these who ask the Filipinos in their countries on what are needed here and to whom they could send their help to,” he explained.
“Sometimes we are surprised to receive a box or two of unsolicited da`wah tools. And we are so happy to have received these.”
Khalid Baling, a 33-year-old imam, says that some of the foreign organizations they approach even produce the da`wah materials in the Filipino language instead of Arabic or English.
“The Filipinos find it easier to understand what are being discussed in these reading materials.”
Once the materials arrive, some Philippine-based organizations, such as Discovery Islam and Guidance Center, distribute them across the country charge-free.
The Manila-based imam says the help from abroad plays a great role in spreading the right information about the faith among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Imam Baling maintains that the materials serve not only Muslims but curious non-Muslims as well.
“It really helps a lot because questions that have been boggling the minds of our brothers and sisters are answered.”
He believes the books, booklets, VCD’s and CD’s are the “best alternative in introducing Islam effectively.”
“We have to face the fact that many are shy or hesitant to ask Muslims questions or go to our masjids to get answers especially now that we have been demonized to some extent.”
Reading Islam
Abdul Rashid Rahman is a living proof that this is working.
All he knew about Islam eight years ago was that its followers are allowed to have more than one wife, a far cry from the monogamy espoused by the Christian sect he belonged to.
At one point his Muslim vendor shared with him some reading materials that explain why and when Muslims are allowed to have more than one wife.
“I read those pamphlets and brochures, and I learned what Islam really is,” Rahman told IOL.
“I found out that Muslims are not allowed to have more than one wife if they cannot provide for them. And the maximum is only four, not a dozen as I thought so earlier.”
The readings whetted his appetite for more learning so he joined study sessions in a mosque.
Three years later, he embraced Islam and took a Muslim name.
“Had that vendor friend of mine not shared with me those materials, I would not have understood what Islam really is,” Rahman believes.
“I might even have believed that it promotes violence, terrorism. The readings I had, from the simple pamphlets to books, brought me to Islam,” he added.
“I was enlightened. I thank those who send such materials from abroad because I am proof that their project works.”
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