Performing one of its targeted programs for 2020, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) trained its workforces on Gender and Development (GAD) held at the Nursalam Hall of the Al-Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City on December 22-23, 2020.

Two lectures were given during the first day of the training with the first from MHSD Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra on “Gender Equity in Islam”, and the second from Regional Darul Ifta’ Researcher Uz. Aleem Mohammad Pangca focusing on “Women’s Role in Community Building”.

Minister Barra’s lecture consisted of a brief history of Islam, which then proceeded to debunk several common misconceptions on the roles of men and women, before proceeding to shed light on how Islam has several perceptions regarding gender equality and gender equity. a majority of his lecture included the rights of both men and women, either as individuals or as couples, which covered several situations such as marriage, divorce, intellectual aspects, spirituality, religion, morals and ethics, social standing, economic status, as well as political positions.

“In Islam, the focus is not on the rights, but on the obligations of both women and men”, Atty. Barra reminded the hall after his presentation.

Uz. Pangca’s lecture referred to stories of women mentioned in the Qur’an and hadith, those of which played important roles in their community. One of them was the hadith narrating one of the Prophet’s (Peace and Blessings of Allah [S.W.T.] be upon him) wives, Umm Salamah (May Allah [S.W.T.] be pleased with her), and her contribution during a peace treaty.

The third and final lecture, “Gender Equality and Leadership in Islam”, was delivered by Uza. Anisa Taha-Arab the following day. She gave several overviews on Islam’s general view on Gender Equality and Equity, of which some statements have also been covered by the previous lecturers. She also shared stories of her own personal experience with how women were treated before, citing forced marriages upon young women and educational limiting due to gender bias, and proceeded to point out that Islam has always prohibited such restrictions.

“Bilang babae, ang bawat pangarap natin para sa ating pamilya ay siya ring pangarap natin para sa komunidad” (As women, our dream for our family is the same as what we desire for the community), Uza. Arab emphasized.

Before closing the program, two of the participants were asked to give their impressions on the lectures and what they learned.

Accountant Leslie Pesante noted how the essence of equality is notable between Islamic and Christian beliefs. As a Christian herself, she was still able to relate to a majority of the topics discussed, such as legal property ownership between couples as individuals. She also stated that during Atty. Barra’s lecture, the core values protected by the Shari’ah, sunk in the most.

Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Ali Macadaag was fascinated with how the lecturers interpreted the same general overview of Islam on gender, such as their replies on polygamy and the duties of working women. He agreed however, that one must only marry within one’s means, to uphold the justice that must be maintained in marriage.

Minister Barra took note of the enthusiasm of the participants during the open forums and he carefully addressed every query some of them raised aimed at everyone’s enlightenment and empowerment.