Muslims in E. Visayas rejoice peace developments in Mindanao

MUSLIMS in Eastern Visayas are rejoicing over the recently-signed framework agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in creating the Bangsamoro region.

Speaking on behalf of the Muslims living across the region, Senior Police Officer 3 Abdullah Gapul Abah, chief of the Salam (peace) Police Center of the Philippine National Police regional headquarters, said they are happy and rejoicing on the creation of a Bangsamoro region.

“Of course we are so happy. By the grace of Allah, we are all hopeful that this new agreement will finally bring peace that we Muslims have been longing for,” Abah said.

He said he could not help but give his profuse thanks to President Benigno Aquino who hammered the agreement aim to ensure that peace and development would finally come to Mindanao.

“We are thankful to the President for initiating such agreement, “Abah, who is a Tausug native, said.

According to Abah, there are around 300 Muslims who are living, mostly in urban areas, across the region whom he said are all “peace loving individuals.”

Abah said with the creation of a Bangsamoro region, the Muslim people would finally achieve peace that they have been yearning for. “For us, the agreement means that we can finally achieve lasting peace,” he said.

“We are happy with the signing of the agreement, of course,” he added.

According to him, Muslims in the region would celebrate the signing of the agreement during the Eid’l Adha on October 26, adding, “We will offer prayers for the (success) of the agreement.”    

Eid’l Adha (fear of sacrifice) is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all over the world with the celebrations start after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)