Regional Islamic Dawah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

Regional Islamic Dawah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP)

The Regional Islamic Dawah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization established in 1980 in response to the need to bring together area Muslims and coordinate their Islamic missionary activities. RISEAP is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is primarily funded by Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: المجلس الإقليمي لدعوة الإسلام في جنوب شرق آسيا والمحيط الهادئ (Al-Majlis Al-Iqlimi Lida’wat Al-Islam fi Janoub Sharq Asiya wal Muhit Al-Hadi)
• Turkish: Güneydoğu Asya ve Pasifik Bölgesel İslami Da’vet Konseyi

Objectives and Activities

RISEAP aims to forge links among various voluntary Islamic organizations in the spirit of brotherhood and to coordinate policies and actions for the benefit of Muslims in the region. Its responsibilities include:

1. Supervising Missionary Activities:

   • Offering guidance for Islamic dawah (mission**ary work) across the region.

2. Training Individuals:

   • Preparing individuals for effective Islamic social work.

3. Providing Experts:

   • Offering experts to teach and promulgate Islam.

4. Establishing Institutions:

   • Creating mosques and Islamic centers to serve local communities.

5. Publishing Literature:

   • Producing and distributing Islamic literature for educational and inspirational purposes.

In 1986, RISEAP established a women’s movement to encourage the participation of Muslim women in the development of society.

Support for Muslim Minorities

RISEAP also aids Muslim minorities in emphasizing the Islamic basis of life, facilitating the observance of Islamic rituals and customs, and creating a hospitable environment for them.

Suggested Books for Further Study

1. “Islam and Politics in Southeast Asia” by Noraini Othman.
2. “Muslims in the Margin: Political Responses to the Presence of Muslims in Non-Muslim Majority Societies” by W. A. R. Shadid and P. S. van Koningsveld.
3. “Islamic Movements in Malaysia, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent” by Syed Serajul Islam.

Takeaways and Conclusion

• RISEAP operates as a pivotal organization fostering unity among Muslim communities in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
• Its extensive roles encompass missionary work, education, and addressing the cultural integration and spiritual needs of Muslim minorities.
• The women’s movement initiated within RISEAP underscores the importance of inclusive participation in Islamic social development.

In summary, RISEAP exemplifies a concerted effort towards unified Islamic missionary activities and socio-economic development within the Muslim ummah in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.