Islam and sex ? MTV? Jeans and veiling? Was I hearing right? A workshop group at the Young Moro Professionals General Assembly was talking of a taboo topic – “Can’t Muslims have sex education?” posed a feisty unveiled Tausug, Fatima Alian of the Women’s Studies Center of the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City. Her workshop group was eclectic - facilitated by a conservative Islamic radio announcer, a fashionista from the Office on Muslim Affairs and an Atenean colegiala who questioned the elder’s views of modernization.
 In the onslaught of globalization and its secular influences, the question Muslim youths face these days is – how can we confront the modern age and remain Muslim ? 40 youths from the Muslim associations of Zamboanga City’s Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) and University of the Philippines (UP) and yuppies gathered at the Asian Institute of Management for the National Muslim Youth Summit on December 20-21. With the theme, Balancing Islam and Modernity for Peace and Development, Muslim youths raised questions of identity and religion. “It’s good this is happening as it’s my first time to attend such a summit,” said Shamsia Hidalgo, a convert teaching sciences at the UP Los Banos.
Confusion, the catchword of the workshop discussions , was confronted in a rare gathering of Generation M, as Manila delegate Jamal Latiph called them. Members of the “Gen Muslim” were from different Muslim tribes and educated in upscale campuses. English-speaking, assertive and curious, this was the “new generation of future Muslim leaders”, said one speaker, Social Welfare Usec. Omera Lucman .
The generational gap was evident as some of the youths expressed “disappointment” at their elder’s lack of sympathy of their “confusion”. "I don't wear a veil but noone can question my faith," said 24-year old Maguindanaon Nora, a Manila-based nurse. "We are confused because we are curious." She cited one issue of smuggling (by some Muslim enterpreneaurs) that was justified by some Muslim elders as long as proceeds were given as charity. "Can this be made permissible by giving it as zakat (charity)?" an incredulous Nora questioned.
“Have you read the whole Quran?” posed Lucman, offering advice from elders, who were the speakers. “Pray 5 times and affirm yourself with the graces of Allah.”
“Islam is dynamic and not opposed to modernization,” said MILF technical panelist Atty. Musib Buat, citing this opinion to be a consensus from the ulama. "We can adopt Western technology but not necessarily Western values" he said on his speech "Islam and Modernization ."
 "Islam is a system, a way of life," said regent Ansary Alonto, of the Mindanao State Unviersity (MSU) .in his speech "Islam and Peace." All the speakers advised the participants to "learn Islam." "Seek knowledge even it be as far as China," Buat quoted a hadith, Prophet's saying. Elder yuppies advised the college students to be open-minded . "Islam is a process, and (acknowledges) an effort to find yourself," said Aldean Alonto, who went to Oxford University on an interfaith event."Be open but know your limitations," advised Baibonn Sanguid, YMPN chairperson and working at the National Youth Commission.
A debate ensued among the speakers on the issue of ulama involving in politics. Lucman cited the ARMM case, particularly Lanao del sur, where ulamas hold political influence. Referring to ARMM Vice-Governor Mahid Mutilan, she cited her "frustration" over the provinces' lack of development. Mutilan was former governor of Lanao del Sur and is rumored to run for governor anew. Buat however said Lanao was an exception and that other Muslim countries, Indonesia and Malaysia were developing despite ulamas in politics.
Head facilitator Ahmad John Musa, a Tausug and financial consultant, introduced the network, YMP to be an organization promoting the Bangsamoro aspiration. He traced its beginnings likening it to one "confused guy" searching for a path. Muslim "yuppies" in Metro Manila in the year 2000 gathered to donate for evacuees as a result of the all-out-war policy in the South.
AIM Policy Center head Federico Macaranas welcomed the organization and the summit.
"AIM is very open to groups like yours who can shape the leadership of our communities. With your education and training in searching of new ways of doing things in a chaotic environment." Promoting the concept of "servant leadership," he said this concept related to an Islamic concept of being "servants of God."
He advised the group to define their community of influence. "Know who your community is and its common values. What does your community aspire for?"
 On leadership, he quoted Harvard's Bernice' describing it to be a "confluence of three things - skills, values and authority." Development management, he said, was "inclusive, peaceloving, integrative and makes a change."Youth circles, he said, are grounded with several values - skills, moral and spiritual authority. How to convince the community we intend to serve, should be asked."
Musa said the network's assets were "self-sustaining, networking, using peaceful methods and synergy, where 1 plus 1 (person) can be a hundred to create an impact," citing the website as a program.
National Youth Commission Chairperson Paulo Benigno Aquino cited the youth sector to be "powerful but untapped". and advised the participants to "learn from each other, and spread the word and influence others" after the conference. "You need organizations to harness the energy (of the youth)."
Founding NYC chairperson and former Cabinet member Amina Rasul after giving a scenario of the ARMM in the 60s as compared to the present decade corrected the impression that "Muslims because we are Muslioms are basketcases. Wrong!" Sulu for instance was ahead of almost 20 provinces in the 70s in electricity and export, she cited. "What happened? Martial law, when infrastructure was destroyed and not replaced. Thus, there were no investments and no electricity in Sulu. How do you expect business to prosper?"
She suggested the recognizing of Muslims leaders promoting good governance through an awarding of the Outstanding Muslim Leaders . ARMM Social Fund Director Norhata Alonto suggested an Islamic center in Manila where students can network.
The summit was also a showcase of inspiring success stories among the Muslim youth. 25-year old Norina Usman, a Tausug, of the Intramuros-based Philippine Business for Social Progress featured on the cover of Graphic magazine is the only Muslim in the largest corporate foundation in the country."I am privileged as a Muslim." She showed her "dream notebook" where she wrote her aspirations for the next 5 years.
To address "self-preservation, misconceptions/discrimination, apathy, tribalism and confusion " among the Muslim youth, workshop outputs of five groups recommended the holding of another National Muslim Youth Summit, symposia involving Christians and media campaigns on Islam, community development/outreach ie medical missions, parent-youth dialogues, petitions to enforce religious rights in non-Muslim dominated campuses, organizing Muslims in University Belt and setting up of chapters.
At the closing ceremonies held in the National Youth COmission Conference Room Sunday evening, guest speaker Adam Muse, Deputy Executive Director of the Office on Muslim Affairs and a former student leader spoke of the need to battle "tribalism and terrorism." "The battlefront is on education."
The event ended with the youths in prayer in a circle. Amen to peace and the Moro youth.
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