WHEN everybody else trooped to Tionko field at the Agro Industrial Foundation College compound, I opted to witness the Kagan of Purok 20 Sanggilangan in Ma-a as they celebrated their Feast of Sacrifice in a very simple yet meaningful style.
I was nervous at first because I was afraid I might be prohibited to take pictures during their Sambayang (prayer) but fortunately I was given the green light by their Imam (worship leader of a mosque) the night before their celebration, thanks to Jammy Lupon.
As an outsider, I applied extra caution in taking pictures that could distract them, especially the women.
An unexplainable feeling towards my consciousness hit me when Ustadz Abulkhaer Clarin Carcauga of Mercy Islamic Center started the Sambayang.
You can feel the sincerity of their prayer because of its panache and delivery.
He shared towards his fellow Muslim brothers that killing innocent people like young children and women is not an act of a Muslim.
“Islam is perfect but Muslims are not.” Carcauga said.
During his sharing, he also condemned the Roxas night market explosion that claimed 15 lives.
“Not all Muslims are true Muslims because there are many groups claiming they are fighting for Allah but their deeds are the opposite because they’re killing innocent people,” Cargauga added.
When their prayer was over, they each other greeted and embraced with all smiles.
Sanggilangan Kagan community is one of the friendliest Muslim community that I had immersed in. It simply shows that Islam or Muslims cannot be generalized.
Let us promote peace and unity regardless of religion. This starts from each one of us.