THE BALIK-ISLAM PHENOMENON FILIPINO MUSLIM REVERTS – BETWEEN THE GULF COUNTRIES AND THE PHILIPPINES
Keywords:
Balik-Islam, Philippines, Moros, Bangsamoro, Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) Countries, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)Abstract
Islam arrived in the Philippines long before Christianity. However,
today, at most, only 11% are Muslim in this largest Catholic country
in Asia. Muslims comprise mainly of the Moros residing in the
Southern parts of the country – Mindanao, Palawan, the Sulu
Archipelago – and the Balik-Islam. The Balik-Islam are primarily
former Christians who have converted or “returned” (Balik) to
Islam. Many amongst the Balik-Islam are former expats or migrant
workers who embraced Islam in the Gulf countries and have returned
to the Philippines. Their understanding and practice of Islam have
been greatly influenced by the stricter, more orthodox Salafi and
Wahhabi versions practised by their former “arbaab” (boss or
master). This paper delves into the Balik-Islam phenomenon;
primarily exploring the reasons for Filipinos converting to Islam, the
relationship of the Balik-Islam with the Moros, and their place in the
history of the Muslims of the Philippines.
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