DAVAO CITY — The Davao City Muslim Affairs Office, in partnership with Task Force Davao, is set to hold the inaugural Balik Islam Congress 2025, a landmark event aimed at recognizing the Balik Islam community and affirming its place in the city’s culturally diverse landscape.
The congress, scheduled on November 16, 2025 at the World Palace Hotel, will bring together sectoral representatives, local officials, and security forces to foster deeper awareness of the Balik Islam sector’s presence, contributions, and needs. It also seeks to strengthen inter-community ties and reinforce Davao City’s long-standing culture of security and inclusive governance.
For Abdul Hakeem Omalay, Chief of Staff of Balik Islam Davao City under the Muslim Affairs Office, the event serves both as a celebration and a public declaration of recognition.
“This is not just a gathering; this is a collective effort to let the public know that the Balik Islam exists and is recognized by the city,” Omalay said in an interview on Madayaw Davao over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on November 14. He emphasized that the congress is made possible through cooperation among Task Force Davao and various government agencies.
Omalay also explained that Balik Islam refers to individuals who embraced Islam after previously practicing other faiths such as Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, or Buddhism. For many, embracing Islam is viewed as a spiritual return to their ancestors’ faith prior to Spanish colonization.
Davao City is the first local government unit in the Philippines to formally recognize the Balik Islam sector—an acknowledgment that underscores its commitment to cultural respect, representation, and inclusion.
Sectoral representative Danilo Ali Garcia highlighted that while their current organizational efforts focus on the downtown area—home to an estimated 400 to 500 Balik Islam residents—their coverage will soon expand across all three city districts to better reach and support the community.
Security forces also expressed strong support for the initiative. Major Ronnel Avanzado, commanding officer of Task Group Agila under Task Force Davao, said the congress complements the city’s security programs by empowering communities and strengthening trust.
“With this kind of activity, we empower every community,” Avanzado said on DCDR. “Task Force Davao is always here serving the Dabawenyos. Beyond our physical presence in uniform, there are initiatives like this that are crucial in protecting Davao City.”
The Balik Islam Congress 2025 marks a milestone for Davao City—placing a once-marginalized sector at the forefront of dialogue, unity, and peacebuilding. As the city continues to champion inclusivity, the event signals a deeper commitment to ensuring that cultural and spiritual identities are acknowledged, respected, and woven into the city’s shared future.