Embassy of the United States in Manila

U.S. Commissioner for International Religious Freedom Discusses Conflict Resolution and Interfaith Dialogue in Visits to Metro Manila and Mindanao

Imam Tala Y. Eid (left) of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom participates in a forum with faculty, students and interfaith dialogue activists at the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies. Imam Eid, who is also the founder and executive religious director of the Islamic Institute of Boston, visited the country February 8-18 to conduct a series of lectures in Metro Manila and Mindanao on conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. He holds a degree in Islamic law (sharia) from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, and Masters and Ph.D in theology from Harvard Divinity School. He served as Imam in Lebanon and in Massachusetts. Concurrent with his work at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, he is the Muslim chaplain at Brandeis University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Imam Talal Y. Eid (left) of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Ms. Leslie Bassett (second, left), Chargé d’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, listen to a comment during a forum with De La Salle University faculty and students in Manila. In his visit to the country February 8-18, the Imam also held discussions with officials of the Philippine government’s Office on Muslim Affairs in Manila, and with seminarians and interfaith activists. In the academic sector, Imam Eid participated in forums with youth leaders, students and faculty in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Western Mindanao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Notre Dame University, Mindanao State University and with youth leaders in Cotabato City.
Imam Eid (center) kneels in prayer with Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) Executive Director Datu Ali B. Sangki left) and OMA Deputy Executive Director Nor S. Adiong during the Imam’s visit to the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) in Manila on February 9. The agency is the main Philippine government institution tasked to lead the formulation and implementation of state policies and programs for Muslims in the Philippines. The Imam also participated in Friday prayers and ceremonies with the local Muslim population in Cotabato City on February 12.
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner Imam Talal Y. Eid listens to a question during an interaction with community leaders, faculty and students of Madrasah school in Maharlika Village in Metro Manila’s Taguig City on February 10.
Imam Eid discusses the importance of interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution with members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force in Camp Bagong Diwa, in Metro Manila’s Taguig City.
Imam Talal Y. Eid of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom receives from Mindanao State University president Dr. Macapado A. Muslim (left) a plaque of appreciation at the end of the lecture-forum that the Imam conducted with the students and faculty of the university in Mindanao’s Marawi City.
Imam Eid (left) discusses interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution during an interview on radio station DXMY RMN in Cotabato City. During his visit in the Philippines, the Imam took part in several interviews with broadcast and print journalists in Manila and Mindanao.
Imam Eid holds a gift from Philippine Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mohammad D. Dolorfino (left) during the Imam’s visit to Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City on February 11.