|
Friday, February 10, 2006
Muslim leaders mixed over cartoon protests
By Danilo V. Adorador III
MUSLIMS who are angered by the controversial Danish cartoon satirizing Prophet Muhammad had better export their outrage outside Cagayan de Oro City, a Muslim leader cautioned Thursday.
While he supports the Muslim world's outcry against the depiction of Allah's last prophet wearing a headdress fashioned into a time-bombed, Sultan Mandangan Darimbang advised Islam followers to "spare the city from all types of protests by joining similar actions in other Muslim areas."
Darimbang who heads the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board 10, is also member of the City Peace and Order Council, the city's security policy-making and coordinating body.
Another Muslim leader, however, does not see anything wrong with holding "peaceful rallies" protesting Muhammad's caricatures, saying that Muslim leaders around the city are already discussing plans to launch a protest.
Director Ombra Gandambra of the Office of Muslim Affairs branded the Danish cartoons as "insult" and a "direct assault" against the Muslim faith, and that "Muslims are hurt with this transgression."
But he was quick to add that he was not encouraging demonstrations in the city, saying any Muslim faithful has the right to condemn the publications.
Already, violent demonstrations have struck the Middle East and several European nations with considerable Muslim populations, days after a number of European newspapers re-published the cartoons originally printed by Jyllands-Posten in Denmark last year.
In the Philippines, Muslim communities in Manila and Cotabato have recently joined the uproar, demanding apology from Denmark and calling on boycott of Danish products.
But Darimbang said Muslim leaders should prevent the outspread of the protests, fearing that it will have a semblance of violence as already shown in other countries.
"We are trying to attract investors in the city and it would be a very discouraging prospect if we tolerate demonstrations here," he said, adding that local tourism is also at stake if the protests would turn violent.
Those who are planning protests, he said, "must instead join rallies being held in Cotabato and elsewhere."
Darimbang also appealed to the local media "not to ignite the already volatile situation," admonishing the press to be "sensitive and prudent."
To the Islam adherents who are seething in anger spawned the by cartoon satire, he said: "We should not be silent about it, as we know that we are being insulted by this act. But Islam believes in religious tolerance. We believe that there is no compulsion in religion. So please, let us avoid violence and be objective and respect all religions."
Muslim population in the city is estimated at 60,000, mostly traders of goods, while others work in the professional sectors. (With a report from Sun.Star Superbalita)
(February 10, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
