The IFTAR-Zamboanga City

Straight from the Heart

By: Abs Damahan

IRSMP/GCCPBA-PIO

The recent IFTAR breaking of the Fast Ceremony hosted by the Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates was held Sunday, August 12, 2012 at Multi-Purpose Hall, Kalambuan Housing, Maasin, Zamboanga City. The program of activities started at 4:00 PM.

“Therein descent the Angels and the Ruh (Jibril (Gabriel)) by Allah’s permission will all decrees, All that night, there is Peace (and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn” Surah Al-Qadr (The Night of Decree) XCVII, 4-5   

The grand IFTAR (Pagbukah) culminating the tradition and symbolizing the normal practice of the Muslim Community (Ummah) the sacred of the Holy Month of Ramadhan on how to break the Fast at sunset.

Part 1 of the IFTAR

This was formally started by Prayer/ Dua’a for Peace by invited Ustadz/Imam followed of the acknowledgment of guests and institution that are presents and in attendances by the Master of Ceremony Mr. Aldrin Bucoy Abdurahim.

Then, followed by Welcome Remarks by no less than Fr. Angel C. Calvo, CMF, Lead Convener, IRSMP President, Peace advocate Zamaboanga and KK. He emphasized the importance of IFTAR for the Inter-religious Solidarity Movement for Peace for the religious tolerance and understanding here in Zamboanga City and the rest community. He promised to support all the activities of the IRSMP all the ways. He also stressed out the importance of the Inter-religious dialogue between of all religions here in Zamboanga City.

Then also the short remarks from the hosted Community Leader Mrs. Teressa Sotto President Kalambuan Homeowners Association she said, she welcomes us all in their community to culminate and observe the IFTAR ceremony and festivity.

The Sharing of Knowledge on the Month of Ramadhan by Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj President Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates. He discussed and well explained the noblest and virtues of the month of Ramadhan and practice of IFTAR (Pagbukah) and the importance and highlight of the Fasting (Puasa, Puase). He extracted some selected Verses (Surah) from the Holy Qur-an  and the Traditions (Ahadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Prof. Yacub, he is well prepared and well researched on the topics he delivered to the attendees at the Grand IFTAR held in Zamboanga Community (Ummah).

Part II of the IFTAR,  IFTAR Time and Ceremony-

The Recital of the Holy Qur-an by Ust. Jamal Muhammad, the guests and members are required to remain seated in silence and solemn dignity. Then, this was translated to English by Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj. Muslim Convener, IRSMP/GCCPBA.

Then, followed by another topic, The Significance of IFTAR (Pagbukah) by Prof. Moh. Taha S. Arakama, City OIC Dir. DILG, Vice-President GCCPBA, he elaborated the virtues of IFTAR supported by a selected Verses (Surah) in the Holy Qur-an and some selected Tradition practices (Ahadith) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) that also well prepared and well researched on his subject matters he delivered on IFTAR Fasting Ceremony. He dwell more the emphasis of solidarity, harmonious relationship and tolerance of among religions of which we belong of the different faiths and belief.

As follows, the Recital of the Dua’a for IFTAR by Sheikh Denil Anawari.

The Declaration of the breaking of the Fast Ceremony and Sharing of the Allah’s bounty led by Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj. Muslim Convener, IRSMP, President GCCPBA, and other Muslim leaders of the community based in Zamboanga City.

The Introduction of the Guest Speaker by the Master of Ceremony Mr. Aldrin Bucoy Abdurahim, Executive Coordinator, IRSMP our Guest Speaker at that IFTAR Breaking Fast Ceremony is Atty. Al-Rahimin Theo K. Kenoh Administrator Officer V Schools’ Division of Zamboanga City, DepEd.

Atty Kenoh, he talked and discussed more on the role of Muslim in the community as what Muslims and Islam its means a true and genuine religion of peace.  He also extracted some from the selected Verses (Surah) of the Holy Qur-an and Tradition practices (Ahadith) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) as the basis of his topic. He critics some of his points to our fellow Muslims in name, but not practice what Muslims Community (Ummah) should oblige for a religious tolerance as Allah commanded in His decrees in all part of the Holy Qur-an and Ahadith practices of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), this actually disobeys by the Muslims Ummah at present modern generation. He also talked justices for the Muslims Ummah and other related issues and concern of the Muslims in the community.

Responses:

City Councillor Atty. Mel Sadain, his response more on peace and equality, solidarity, tolerance that bring us together a strong group and community in Zamboanga City a regardless of religious affiliation and practices.  His deem message to avoid to cultural biases every Zamboangenos have an equal opportunity and equal privilege here in Zamboanga City.

Dr. Grace Rebollos former WMSU President and PAZ Vice-President, she touched on the current Hijab issue currently ban by Pilar College banning Muslim scholars to wear Hijab inside the school premises which violated the free of the constitution under our sacred Bill of Rights. Although, there are academic freedom and the policy of school, but it contradict the freedom of religion and belief. Its seem, this is a divisive action done by Catholic run institution under our mutual respect toward understanding the faith and belief of other religions.

In Attendances during the IFTAR:

From the AFP, the peace corps Wesmincom Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang and companions,  heads of the Churches from the Ustadzes/Imam,  Priests, Pastors , Ministers, local officials, barangays officials, NGOs, Pos, Community Leaders , Youth Leaders and urban poor leaders.

The Organizing Committee and Secretariat:

The head group Sister Emma Delgado, Executive Director of Peace Advocate Zamboanga and staffs. Food served some home readymade in Muslims tradition formed in (Dulang) a mixed variety (Lokot-lokot and other delicacies) food inside covered by (Tutup) and the rest audiences not served by (Dulang) are serving by Catering foods ordered by the sponsored organizers PAZ. Everyone of us officials of IRSMP-PAZ-GCCPBA , invited guests and members  and visitors are served in frugal manners during the IFTAR formal dinner not too much extravagance with a minimal cost for the sponsors organization.

In the Closing Remarks of the IFTAR:

Programs closed by Ms. Josephine Bello-Sanchez, Member IRSMP, she emphasized the solid unity of the CSOs Zamboanga, the solidarity have started and the continued of the efforts for our harmonious relationship of all officials and members of IRSMP based in Zamboanga City, that’s the end of IFTAR Breaking of the Fast Ceremony.

Area Coordinating Center Turn Over Ceremony

Area Coordinating Center Turn Over Ceremory.

By: Abs Damahan

Akbar Muninicipality Tuburan Basilan- May 15, 2012 turnover of project Area Coordinating Center  at Barangay Batobato funded by USAID represented by Capt. Tebedo of US Army and  assisted by Commanding Officer of AFP Col Ricardo Bisaya of 104^th Brigade Tabiawan Isabela City, Basilan. The LGUs represented by no less than Governor Jum Jainuddin-Akbar of Basilan Province and Hon. Yusop Alano Board Member District-I.

 The recipient of the projects is Mayor Alih Salih of Akbar Municipality, were also attended by five mayors of different municipalities: Mayor Gulam “Boy” Hataman- Sumisip, Mayor Jomal Maturan- Ungkaya Pukan, Mayor Anwar Abdulmajid- Hj. Muhtamad, Mayor Indanan Daud- Maluso and Mayor Talib Pawaki – Muhammad Ajul.

The projects cost for Area Coordinating Center is worth P3.4M funded by Growth Equity Mindanao (GEM), province counter-part is P700,000.00 and one project component is also to be implemented for Barangay lower Batobato Training Center worth P1.9M is also from GEM and the counter-part of the province is in the amount P416,000.00.

This multi-purpose project benefits will help local communities for disaster, calamity and civic action activities considering this municipality is prone of natural man-made calamities. It serves as nerve center and contact point of LGUs in that area for fast communication feedbacks mechanism and receiver.

Area Coordinating Center-

The Area Coordinating Center or Municipal Development Communication System is composed of the municipal legislative, executive and judicial systems as source of information at this level. The systems are composed of the following:

·         Municipal legislative system

·         Sangguniang Bayan

·         Municipal executive system

·         Mayors’ office

·         Municipal judicial system

·         Municipal courts

The municipal development channel system system is composed of the:

·         Community Development Information Centers

The municipal development receiver system is composed of the officials of municipal association of:

·         Farmers

·         Fisher folks

·         Government employees

·         Office workers

·         Office Managers

·         Teachers

·         Students/pupils

·         Out-of- school youth/children

·         Entrepreneurs

·         Consumers

A good Communication Manager should establish a strong network of these systems to unify its development communication thrust in the country. He/she should link these with counterpart organizational structures at the village level. He/she should also unify the network structure at each level to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Press Release

Press Release
Zamboanga City
April 3, 2012

Statement of great concern of the Inter-religious Solidarity Movement for Peace on the ambush-slaying of Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) President Arturo F. Eustaquio III on Sunday, April 1, 2012 in Zamboanga City.

When will the killings stop?

By one account, his ambush-slaying would have been to local government and police authorities just another statistic, the 61st since just January this year, just numbers that they always dismiss blithely, gloss over quickly as mere "isolated" incidents. Except that this 61st victim is not an ordinary citizen: Arturo F. Eustaquio III is the President of one of the oldest schools in the city, the Universidad de Zamboanga, a scion of a prominent Christian clan, a convert to Islam and one of a respected leaders, an education official known and loved for his liberal and compassionate policies towards his school's low income-class students. He was an honorary member of the Inter-religious Solidarity for Peace (IRSMP) and, therefore, a peace advocate. His violent death in the hands of the usual two motorcycle-riding-in-tandem assassins has shocked present and former city residents, hopefully the city's authorities from their smug complacency as well.

We condole with his good, grieving family and the men and women of the Universidad. Words cannot describe our sense of outrage and condemnation of this dastardly incident.

Eustaquio's death is but a climax to the long-rising sense of frustration mixed with dread of local residents over the series of violent killings in the city, mostly in public and always with the use of guns, for the past so many months. The people are greatly conncerned and fearful now: if an assassin can kill with impunity a man of stature like Eustaquio, who then in this city can be safe from a similar attack? Nobody - in this co-called Asia's Latin City in which the rule of law is now teetering on the brink of a total collapse if not already. Our peace and order situation has imploded, we cannot go on this way. And so with a deep sense of concern, we make this appeal:

-To President Benigno Aquino III, to utilize his extraordinary/special powers to order appropriate officials, agencies and sectors to restore and preserve peace and order and the rule of law in Zamboanga City;

-To Department of Interior and Local Government Secratary Jesse Robredo, to order the Philippine National Police (PNP) to swiftly investigate Eustaquio's killing and to bring to justice all those responsible for his death, and for those of others similarly killed in the past months/years, most of which are unresolved, thus emboldening further such crimes;

-To Mayor Celso lobregat to take seriously his job in regard to his constituents' safety, peace and sense of security, to utilize and properly his office's considerable resources, power and authority for that pre-eminent concern and need of city residents;

-To the local judiciary to be more efficient and proficient in the enforcement and disposition of cases before them so as desist aggrieved parties from taking the law into their hands;

-To law enforcement officers and their agencies: you know your peace and order job, so just do it because if you don't it is tantamount to not knowing at all or constitutes a neglect of duty;

-To other sectors and all citizens to do their share of civic responsibility to ensure the prevention of crimes .
and to help authorities to bring to justice anyone who committed a crime.

Life is sacred and any violent death diminishes all humanity, but especially among those who share a sense of local community and family. It is only by respecting life and one another that we can live and exist as a  civilized society, and so we tremble to perceive how our city is now going towards the opposite abyss! God forbid! Let us all act to save ourselves and our city!


SGD
FR. ANGEL C. CALVO, CMF                                      PROF. ALI T. YACUB
Convenor, R. Catholics                                                    Convenor, Muslims

REV. PAULINO ERSANDO                                         NULHAMDO CEGALES
Convenor, Evangelicals                                                    Convenor, Indigenous Community

TOPIC: MINDANAO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

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SACA conducts School of Living Tradition in Basilan

Press Release

By: Abs Damahan

Sitio Look, Barangay Ettub-Ettub, Sumisip, Basilan…The Sahaya Al-Nour Community Association (SACA) has conducted School of living tradition on Yakan Song and Instrument- playing last March 10, 2012. Spearheaded by no less than the President Majid A. Nur of SACA.The guest is from National Commission for Cultures & Arts (NCCA) was represented by Mr. Ammalun Salahuddin Yakan cluster head based in Basilan. The participants composed of fifteen students who played the Yakan Music & instruments. Their cultural masters are Lolo Aharain Arasalun and Rende Appotoh belongs to the women group.

The activities were conducted started from March 10, 2012 up to the present to highlights the primitive Yakan song and the Arts. The community participants are around 40 persons more or less. The program of activities started from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM all of them are well participated in the said activities.

The importance of this projects all folks is reminded how the cultures of the forefather be preserved to the present and next generation of the Yakan tribe. The Yakan music and the arts are almost in extinction without the supports from the National Commission and the Arts (NCCA).

The place where the programs is conducted is a very remote barangay has no projects implemented before and this is the first time programs and projected is being implemented in the area.

The community has valued this noble project because they felt that they are part of the government and society.  To continue and sustain this valuable cultural education the community would change and the local folks would not easy prey into the lawlessness and illegal activities.

To revive this culture practises the youth will encourage to become a good citizen of our society participating in all endeavour that will enshrine to the benefits of the native cultural preservation of the entire province.

Negotiating the Good Friday Agreement

Negotiating the Good Friday Agreement

 By: Fr. Eliseo Mercado, OMI

With the peace negotiations entering a sort of ‘winter’ season due to colliding positions on the terms of possible political settlement, International Alert in partnership with UK Embassy invited the Rt. Honorable Paul Murphy, Member of the British Parliament and former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Wales.

MP Paul Murphy belongs to the Labor Government of both PM Tony Blair and PM Gordon Brown. It was this popular Labor government under Mr. Blair that negotiated the Good Friday Agreement that has laid the peace formula not only between the warring Unionist party (Protestant) and the Sein Fein (Catholic) but also shaping the relations between and among Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The case of Northern Ireland rings a familiar chord for the peoples of Southern Philippines albeit the differences in ‘color’, ‘shape’, religions, ideology and cultures. The many similarities touch on the relations of minority and majority cum the controversial wealth and opportunity sharing, and compounded by religious identities that are more tied to cultural ideologies and their popular expressions, including the use of violence.

Mr. Murphy’s short visit is simply to share with us – stakeholders to peace in Mindanao both in the national and regional levels - a model of peace negotiation that has proven successful not only in terms of signing a peace agreement but also implementing it with political will on the ground as workable formula for wealth and power sharing.

I cannot help but observe that the man who provided the environment and the ‘push’ is an ardent Catholic who received a papal knighthood for his peace work in Northern Ireland.

Some of the similarities between Northern Ireland and Southern Philippines are on issues touching the relations not only between minority (Catholics) and majority (Protestants) but also between the national government (the British Parliament) and the six counties (four Protestants and two Catholics) that formed Northern Ireland.

The above relationship in the recent past was marred by conflict and injustice of varying shades of colors of injustices and ideologies translated and expressed in more familiar concepts like political power, economic development and cultural identities (British Crown for the Unionists and the Republic for Sein Fein).

The other noteworthy similarity in the Northern Ireland conflict was the fact that for decades the conflict in the Northern Ireland remained distant not only to the Government of Great Britain but also to the British Constituency. It actually communicated a subtle message to the effect saying that so long as the killings, the carnage and the violations of basic rights remained in Belfast or Londonderry or in any part of Northern Ireland, the peoples of Great Britain continued with ‘business as usual’.

Things changed when the Irish Republican Army or IRA brought the conflict to London itself. The US was also brought to the picture, not only because of the historical and cultural ties to Ireland and Great Britain but more so because of the many Irish Americans’ support for the struggle of their kin and kith in the North.

What is noteworthy in the making of the Good Friday Agreement is the political will of the two governments (United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). The two leaders, UK PM Mr. Blair and Republic of Ireland PM Mr. Beartie, were on board all the way as the full time and elected peace negotiators ironed out the formula of wealth and power sharing between the warring Protestant and Catholic groups. The US sent a powerful mediator in the person of Senator George Mitchell, with the full backing and support not only of the sitting US President (both President Clinton and later President G. W. Bush) but also by the entire US Congress. The role and support of the entire European Union were also much felt for the simple reason that the two major protagonists, the UK and the Republic of Ireland, are members of the same EU.

The equally important ingredient that went into the making of the Good Friday Agreement was the TRUST and the RESPECT accorded to one and all by the full time and elected negotiators, mediators, Governments and all stakeholders with few exceptions.

What is crucial is the fact that the Good Friday agreement is “HOMEGROWN”. NO IMPOSED peace agreement anywhere and at anytime is sustainable! The Good Friday Agreement is shaped by the stakeholders themselves through their elected negotiators (with real constituencies on the ground) and facilitated by a powerful US mediator and fully supported by the two major protagonists.

The Good Friday Agreement gives HOPE to our own peace process now experiencing some difficulties. Mr. Murphy’s sharing is a successful PEACE Story. Though we are not ‘copy cats’ of Northern Ireland, no doubt, we can draw concrete lessons from it if we are looking for a fresh wind blowing our own peace story... else we freeze in the winter of the peace talks!

Posted by Jun Mercado at 18:59 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

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