Search for 'inner self,' peace drives many Pinays in UAE to Islam

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Over the years, hundreds of Filipinas here have converted to Islam to find solace and their “inner self” in a religion that give high regard to women, converts told GMA News Online.

“They converted kasi natagpuan nila ang hinahanap nilang peace sa Islam. Nakikita nila ito sa mga colleagues nila at work at sa asawa nila,” said Wafa Qasimieh, senior executive cultural consultant at Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs. 

(They converted because they have found the peace they have been looking for. They see this from their colleagues at work and from their husbands.)

An attribute that also factors in, said Qasimieh, is the religiousness of Filipinas. “They are religious seekers of the truth,” she said.

Qasimieh said in most cases, Filipinas who have converted have improved their way of living by following Islamic etiquettes and values – the five pillars namely,  the profession of faith or shahada, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage.

Some quarters and naysayers claim Filipinas convert to Islam to better navigate the employment scene and the cultural divide.

“Hindi naman,” countered Qasimieh. “Kung mag-convert ba makakakita na ng trabaho? Yung mga nag-convert ay may mga trabaho na. At yung mga naka-visit visa at naghahanap ng tabaho ay sinasabi namin sa kanila yung mga rules and regulations,” she added. 

(Not really. You mean, one will find a job simply because she has converted? The converts already have jobs. And we lecture those on visit visas looking for jobs about the rules and regulations of converting to Islam.)

‘Beautiful religion’

Among those who have converted to Islam is 36-year-old Precy Dimaano of Batangas, who arrived in Dubai 13 years ago and for nine years worked as marketing assistant at an event management company.

“Having been living here in UAE for over a decade, it did not come to me that I would be reverting to Islam,” said Dimaano, youngest among nine siblings.

“My whole family is Catholic and it was not an easy decision (to convert) but Allah always makes his way. My family supported me on my beliefs and what I was choosing. I did my shahadah on October 2023 and it was a memorable one. Islam is a beautiful religion,” she added.

Dimaano said her Filipino friends introduced her to the religion. “When they were talking to me about Islam, about Allah, I felt so calm and at peace. I attended Islamic classes with them. After attending Islamic classes, I decided to speak to my family (and told them) that I want to be a Muslim,” she said.

A graduate of Batangas State University (BSU) with a degree in business management, Dimaano quit her job and opened a restaurant named Cuisinerong Pinoy in 2021.

“Not in our entire life will we work for other people. Having a restaurant is not easy with its daily operations. But this is a challenge that makes me stronger in doing what is good for everyone. I am trying to achieve more to support my staff and their family. Also, to continuously support the education of the students in an orphanage in the Philippines,” said Dimaano.

She said she started supporting the educational fees of 14 students at the orphanage this year, after she converted to Islam as part of her charity work and her faith.

One God

Another convert, Camilla Iman, an HR consultant who runs a company providing leadership and personality development training, said Islam caught her interest because it espouses a belief in one God. 

“This is one of the many reasons (I have converted), Islam's emphasis on the belief in one God (Allah), without any partners or intermediaries, resonates with many people seeking a monotheistic faith,” she said.

“Also, the sense of community and support that comes with being part of a Muslim community can be comforting and enriching. Lastly, converting to Islam can signify my personal journey of growth and self-discovery. I also seek a higher purpose in life,” added Iman.

Iman, who was among six Filipinas who have converted during this year’s Ramadan, said unlike Islam, Christianity, on the other hand, has several groups that include Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Protestants, which by itself also has subgroups.

“Ang daming divisions. Hindi ko maintidinhan. So, that is also a reason why I converted to Islam,” Iman said. 

(There are many divisions. I couldn’t understand why.)

Iman hails from Cavite. She arrived in Dubai 10 years ago.

Study

A study done by a Filipinologist from Tokyo, Japan lists down reasons why Filipinas turn to Islam.

“(Filipinas) convert largely because of their marriage with Muslim partners,” said Dr. Akiko Watanabe, associate professor of international studies at Bunkyo University.

For employment environment reasons, Watanabe said, people convert mainly to have familiarity, with the hope of having better treatment in their job, more financial help and getting promotion, among others.

She said though that converting to Islam does not necessarily break down barriers. “Although they embrace Islam, there are still borders of nationality and race that they can not transcend in the Gulf countries.”

Watanabe said “only 20% of (the converts) would keep their faith when they go back to the Philippines, as it is hard to do so being surrounded by Christian family and friends.”

Watanabe teaches Southeast Asian studies, anthropology, and migration. —KBK, GMA Integrated News