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From January 28 to 30, almost 200 Muslim religious scholars and
leaders gathered at the Bayview Park Hotel to engage in intense
discussions on the situation of the Muslims in the Philippines, the
deteriorating conditions in Mindanao, and what they could do to help
uplift the conditions of their community, the ummah.
Outside the conference hall, it was politics as
usual. Philippine politicians continued to wrangle and bicker about
charter change, corruption and power. ZTE’s black cloud hovered
over the Palace as governors were entertained, agenda unknown.
Congressman Balindong delivered a privilege speech against the entry
of Balikatan into the peaceful areas of the Lanao provinces. Another
explosion wracked the peace in General Santos. I was informed that
Ambassador Adem Salem again hosted a dinner for MNLF leaders.
Inside the conference hall, the gathered ulama
did not allow the political noises to distract them from the reason
why they traveled to Manila.
During the previous regional discussions, the
ulama had already assessed the situation of the ummah (Muslim
community), and were determined to find a way to overcome problems
as they sought a better way to serve the ummah.
Dr. Din Syamsuddin, chair of Muhammadiyah, and
Dr. Masykuri Abdillah, vice-chair of Nadhlatul Ulama, flew to
Manila from Jakarta to share their thoughts and experiences. We were
concerned that they might not be able to join us due to the death of
former Indonesian President Suharto. Muhammadiyah and Nadhlatul are
the two largest Muslim organizations in the world. Muhammadiyah has
30 million members, and Nadhlatul has 50 million members. Both
organizations are very influential, with members elected to
parliament or appointed to high government positions. Both
organizations provide public services to their communities, running
schools and hospitals as well as lending operations.
Imagine if our ulama could come together and
establish similar organizations! This was at the back of the minds
of our ulama.
Dr. Maarof Salleh, who was president for eight
years of the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), the supreme
Islamic religious authority in Singapore, recounted the history of
the Singapore Muslims, stressing that they fully recognize that they
are Singaporeans. They have a successful and constructive engagement
with their government and the non-Muslim communities. This struck a
chord among our ulama, who keenly feel the Philippine government’s
lack of inclusivity in making decisions that affect the fate of the
Muslim communities.
The ulama wield tremendous influence over the
ummah as they deliver their sermons from the mimbar (equivalent of
pulpit). It is a never ending mystery to us why government does not
involve the religious scholars and leaders more in its pitiful
attempts to bring peace to Mindanao. If Malacanang bothered to
listen, then it would not continue to rely on military means to
secure the peace.
The ulama passed several resolutions, signed by
175 participants, which we hope Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus
Dureza will bring to the attention of the Palace. They called on
government and the MILF to return to the peace process, for the
review and full implementation of the GRP-MNLF 1996 Peace Agreement,
and to stop Balikatan from entering the peaceful Muslim communities
as well as the immediate review of Balikatan operations.
They demanded the review of cases of Muslims,
especially Muslim religious leaders apprehended by the military and
police and who are now languishing in jails and detention centers on
charges of violating the Anti-Terror Act; that these be granted
access to legal assistance; and, in the absence of evidence against
them, that they be freed from their arbitrary detention.
If only government would listen...
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