Davao City has achieved a significant milestone in cultural recognition by hosting the first-ever Balik Islam Congress 2025, marking a historic moment for the city's diverse religious community.
Historic Gathering for Muslim Converts
The groundbreaking event took place at World Palace Hotel on November 16, 2025, organized collaboratively by the Davao City Muslim Affairs and Task Force Davao. This congress represents the first formal recognition of the Balik Islam sector by any local government unit in the Philippines.
Abdul Hakeem Omalay, chief of staff of Balik Islam Davao City under the Davao City Muslim Affairs Office, emphasized the importance of this gathering during a November 14 interview with Madayaw Davao over Davao City Disaster Radio. "We are informing the public that we have an upcoming event which is the 1st Balik Islam Congress 2025," Omalay stated, highlighting the cooperative implementation with Task Force Davao and other local agencies.
Understanding the Balik Islam Community
According to organizers, Balik Islam refers to individuals who have embraced Islam after previously practicing other faiths such as Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, or Buddhism. For many converts, this transition represents a spiritual return to what they consider their ancestral faith before Spanish colonization introduced Christianity to the Philippines.
Danilo Ali Garcia, sectoral representative of Balik Islam, revealed during his DCDR interview that while current efforts focus on the downtown area with 400 to 500 Balik Islam residents, the program aims to expand across all three districts of Davao City in the coming years.
Strengthening Security Through Community Empowerment
Major Ronnel Avanzado, commanding officer of Task Group Agila Task Force Davao, explained how such initiatives contribute to the city's overall security framework. "With this kind of activities, we empower every community," Avanzado emphasized during his November 14 radio appearance.
The military official noted that while Task Force Davao is typically visible in uniform, community-focused initiatives like the Balik Islam Congress play an equally crucial role in protecting the city by fostering understanding and cooperation among different sectors.
The congress brought together sectoral representatives, city officials, and security forces with dual objectives: raising awareness about the Balik Islam community's presence and contributions while simultaneously reinforcing Davao City's renowned culture of security.
This pioneering event ensures that Balik Islam residents are no longer marginalized but instead positioned at the center of community dialogue, promoting peace and unity throughout Davao City's diverse population.
