Author: Nassef Manabilang Adiong

Nassef is the founder of Co-IRIS (International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort), PHISO (Philippine International Studies Organization), DSRN (Decolonial Studies Research Network), and BRLN (Bangsamoro Research and Legal Network). He works on interdisciplinary research between Islam and International Relations and explores the Bangsamoro society as he heads the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) of the Bangsamoro Parliament. Visit https://nassef.info/ for more details.

Philippine Madrassas

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XIV World Congress for Comparative Education Societies

Theme: Bordering, Re-Bordering and New Possibilities in Education and Societies
XIV WCCES Istanbul, 14-18 June 2010

Panel:
Education in Post-Conflict Societies – I
Presenters:
Nassef M. Adiong, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Dr. Jayson W. Richardson, University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA 
and Dr.Edward Brantmeier, Colorado State University, USA
Esperance Ibuka, Florida International University, USA
Date and Time:
 June 15, 2010 (Tuesday), 8:45 – 10:15 AM
Venue:
North Campus (NH 201) of Boğaziçi University

Abstract:

The Philippines, the only Catholic-dominated Asian country, is continuously bombarded by Muslim rebels from the south. All of the main government agencies are located in the north while the south is considered the food basket of the nation. The Muslims in the south have been living there peacefully and were, in fact, able to resist foreign invaders because of their strong skills in combat. However, during the first republic, immigrants from the north started to flock the south and amassed lands away from the Muslims. Then, never ending fightings and hostilities started.

With participants from different countries in Africa

Fast-forward to the present, the government and the rebel group are in the negotiation table again. As part of the earlier agreements, the government implemented Madrassa in the primary education with an objective of bridging the gap between Christians and Muslims. It made the children as the first actor to be oriented (educated) regarding religious, cultural, social and ethnical diversities so as to instill respect and understanding of one another. The question that this paper aims to present is how effective Madrassa in a Catholic country that is full of prejudices towards Muslims, from Christian families that have no Muslim contact experiences, Catholic universities to the media?

At the Southern Campus of Boğaziçi University.

Eclecticism in the Study of International Relations of the Middle East

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World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies
July 19th – 24th, 2010 / Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain
 

With co-presenter Ms. Ellinor.
 
Panel 457:  
Challenges to Theoretical Perspectives of International Relations

 Chair and Presenter: 
 Nassef M. Adiong, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Presenters: 
Simon Mabon, University of Leeds, UK
Ellinor Zeino-Mahmalat, German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Germany
Date and Time:  
July 23, 2010 (Friday), 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Venue:  
Aula 113, Facultat de Filosofia i Lletres

 With other participants from Germany.

Abstract:

A theory tries to explain and laid down logical statements and assumptions that would permeate to guide and assist the members of the academe and/or practitioners on how to study and conceptualize the complexities and intricacies of International Relations (IR) of the Middle East.
A strong theory is set under one paradigm with its strong explanatory power that encompasses temporal and spatial elements of a certain phenomenon. However, is this line of argument applicable to conceptual approaches to the area study of the Middle East? Eclecticism has been a fashion fad in the contemporary trend of international relations theory especially in looking into area studies.
This approach was used and still being utilize by IR scholars in presenting theoretical framework(s) for cases and issue-areas of the Middle East. Fred Halliday’s historical/political sociological approach; John Galtung’s structural theory of imperialism which was enshrined to Wallerstein’s modern world system approach; Birthe Hansen’s (neo)realism, Stephen Walt’s balance-against-threats and other scholars attempt to converge constructivism with realism; and other scholars like Shibley Telhami, Michael Barnett, Raymond Hinnebusch and Anoushirvan Ehteshami interpretations to constructivism (a mix of qausi-conventional to quasi-constitutive elements of constructivism).
These are just some of the prominent scholars, who in some way or the other suspected to have used eclecticism in their approach to understand the complexity of the IR of the Middle East. If this is the trend, why do some experts draw their attention on applying eclecticism in theoretically conceptualizing the IR of the Middle East? What are the strengths and weaknesses of being eclectic to the study of IR of the Middle East? These are the primal questions that the paper aims to present, and later would provide answers for.
The proponent will argue that in trying to understand and conceptualize the IR of the Middle East, we need several sets of paradigms (patterns of explanations), assumptions and propositions that draw upon the multiplicity of theories, styles and ideas, which will help us gain a wider scope of insights into the telescopic array of issues and/or case for the study of the Middle East.

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20th International Youth Leadership Conference

 20th IYLC, Prague, Czech Republic, 11-16 July 2010

Although I miss my flight and was not able to attend the first day of its program, I was able to come the following day with help of my Filipino friends in Ankara who supported me financially. I have some reservations about this conference, however, what’s important was that I met new people and learned from them.

I would like to acknowledge our hardworking and admirable facilitator Tara Lannen-Stanton for her kind words and wisdom.

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Tara’s message: Nassef. It was an absolute pleasure being your facilitator this week. I really enjoyed your intellect and your continuous questioning of circumstances. That questions will take you so far and you will be very successful. I hope you do well at your next conference and finish your paper in time. Take care and good luck.

At the Senate session of Czech Republic, asking questions regarding issues in the security of the Middle East. (Picture taken by Ms. Tara)

With a serious, diligent yet funny group of Ms. Tara (lady in pink). (Picture taken by Ms. Tara)

The Defense group during the International Criminal Court simulation. (Picture taken by Ms. Tara)
With Filipino IYLC delegates and members of the diplomatic mission in Czech Republic.

With the Filipino IYLC delegates and Philippine Ambassador to Czech Republic. The embassy invited us for a luncheon meeting before I went back to Ankara.

Book Review on Khaled Abou El Fadl’s The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam From The Extremists

This book represents a chronological account of opposing ideologies between the Moderates and Puritans of the Islamic faith. The author posited a claim that Puritans dominates Moderates in a politico-power dynamics game. He is also distraught with the illogical misconceptions of some non-Muslims, albeit to misunderstanding the Islamic theology.

It is divided into two parts: the first is explaining the origin, rise and contemporary puritanical ideologies, while the second is an exuberant and elaborative explanation between the significant differences of Moderates and Puritans on specific issues like laws, democracy, human rights, women’s role, Jihad, terrorism and et cetera.

He ended his writings through advocating a collective effort of all Muslim Moderates around the world to militantly fight the creed of the Puritans and unite to show to the West the true message of Islam in a moderate sense. This envelopes an internal dichotomy of the Islamic faith with different interpretations but having a singular religion. “The Great Theft” is recommendable to all Muslims and non-Muslims to deeply understand the conflict and help eliminate the dilemma that keeps the burden illuminating in the image of Islam throughout the humankind.

Click here to download it for free.

United States of America’s Foreign Policy in the Security of Asia-Pacific Region

This paper will examine the determining factors through the questions posited in the course outline regarding a gradual change of focus of U.S. foreign policy from terrorism to citing fomenting predictions and future tenses that China would be a ‘threat’ in the Asia-Pacific region as well to the world. Utilizing ‘Hedging,’ one of foreign policy’s options, as the tool or instrument to achieve its purpose, carry-out goals, and implement policies.

In 2000, Pres. George W. Bush labeled China as the United States’ leading strategic and military competitor. (Twining 2007) In his rhetoric, what changes in U.S. strategic and defense relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, if any, are needed to respond to major developments in the region, particularly China’s emergence as a major power, the continuing potential for inter-state conflict, and the struggle against militant Islamists? (Vaughn 2007)

Click here to download the full paper for free.