Indeed, its mission, emblazoned on a wall, declares: “The Islamic Institute of the Philippines is a supervised Department of Education School in the sphere of private education mandated to inculcate educate in Islamic essence amalgamated in the academic program of the Philippine education curricula designed to develop mentally, morally and spiritually individual in order to develop educative leader with trait of excellence to carry out better services for country and people”.
The school teaches Arabic language as well as Islamic lessons including culture and traditions, the sayings and practices of Prophet Mohammad, and history that covers the beginning of mankind, which dates back to Adam in the context of religious evolution, according to Jamiri.
“Students learn about the fundamental connections between Islam and Christian faiths, which lead to interreligious dialogue and peace-building,” Jamiri, an active peace advocate, added.
Since most students are Tausugs and kindred tribes, the main medium of instruction is the Tausug language, reinforced by Pilipino.
They are also taught all the academic subjects required by DepEd.
Jamiri said the school charges low tuition fees, and many students are government scholars.
Many of its 49 teachers are graduates of the Western Mindanao State University’s College of Asian and Islamic Studies.
Together, they are mandated to fulfill the school’s vision, which aims to “develop Islamized educated Muslim professional and leader in the spirit of partaking genuine Islamic righteousness, God-fearing to spend the remaining of his life as law-abiding citizen with rational understanding to co-exist with non-Muslim attributable towards peace, welfare of the nations of the world.” (Rey-Luis Banagudos/PNA)
