PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has enjoined Filipino Muslims to “transcend our differences, break the chains of divisiveness, and emerge strong and united as one nation” as they celebrated this year’s Eid'l Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice.
“As we commemorate how Ibrahim offered his son in obedience of Allah (SWT), let us likewise believe that in entrusting ourselves and surrendering our worries to the Supreme Authority, all our hearts’ desires for the greater good will be heard and granted,” said Marcos on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
“The solemn narrative that punctuates this occasion tells us that, at the onset of this administration, we must prepare ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones as we walk the path we have willingly chosen,” he added.
Marcos maintained that “the journey ahead of us will not be easy, but if we fight for what is right and predicate our every action on our love for our fellowmen and women, our people will surely benefit from the results of our individual choices.”
“Let us therefore offer ourselves for the sake of others and take to heart the lessons we learn so that we may be rewarded spiritually and become worthy recipients of Allah’s manifold blessings and protection,” said Marcos.
Meanwhile, in Basilan, Mindanao, Congressman Mujiv Hataman announced the filing of his four priority local bills, which are “intended to ensure the development and welfare of his constituents by promoting the areas of healthcare, education and livelihood.”
The lawmaker also formally filed the resolution that seeks congressional review of the Hajj coordination program of the national government in view of the delays and drawbacks suffered by Filipino Muslim pilgrims this year.
“Nakabangon na mula sa masamang imahe ng terorismo ang Basilan. At nagsimula nang mabuhay muli ang ekonomiya at turismo ng aming lalawigan. Kailangan lang nating sabayan ang pag-unlad ng mga mamamayan ng mga karampatang panukala na susuporta sa kanilang pag-angat,” the influential Moro official added.
Hataman, who is the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, said it may be time to look into how Congress can aid, through legislation, in making the Hajj a great experience for Filipino Muslim pilgrims.
“Gusto sana nating malaman kung may problema ba tayo sa proseso ng koordinasyon, kung kailangang amyendahan ang batas para solusyunan ang mga ito, o kung panahon na ba para tingnan natin at gayahin ang modelo ng ibang bansa pagdating sa Hajj,” the solon said.
“We do not wish to lay blame, we only want to avoid a repeat of this mishap. Hangad natin ang ikagaganda ng karanasan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim sa kanilang pilgrimage sa Hajj,”he added.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith, involves a pilgrimage to their holy place of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The National Commission for Muslim Filipinos is tasked to coordinate the Hajj for pilgrims.
However, close to a thousand Filipino pilgrims were reportedly stranded in Metro Manila due to flight cancellations and visa problems.
During the Martial Law period, under Marcos’ father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, violent war pervaded the southern Philippines amid the Muslim separatist movement.
It was estimated that 120,000 people were killed in the ferocious war, which also displaced over 100,000 Filipino Muslims, with some of them moving to Malaysia.
As the national government continues its reunification efforts, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru), under the administration of then-president Rodrigo Duterte, announced in April 2022 that about 11,000 certified members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have been preparing for the qualifying exams that will allow them to join the country’s police force.
Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, attorney-general of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) government, said the recruitment process is a “historical one in the Barmm.”
National Police Commission-Barmm Regional Director lawyer Randy Babao also described the integration of the MILF and MNLF members into the government’s police force as “a big leap in achieving a long-lasting peace in Mindanao.”
“After three years of the transition period, we are happy that we are finally taking the first step into making this provision a reality,” said Barmm Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said in a statement.