IT HAS been taught to us since our early years that we should love our neighbors no matter what race, creed or other personal circumstances.
This affection covers religion where our neighbors believe in.
Now on our very discerning years, we have particular inclinations as far as religious leaning is concerned, that is why we find it interesting that our government gives recognizance and importance to the religious activities our Muslim brothers observe: E’dl Ftr and E’dl Adha, both signifying their patience and sacrifices-May 2 and June 28 were marked special holidays and only our daily wage earners and job order contract workers were having silent complaints because there are reductions in their take home pays.
Whatever, PBBM, in celebrating the Muslim holidays said we shall all be reminded of the sacrifice and helplessness of our Muslim brothers and sisters from all over the world in the spirit of peace, unity and mutual respect.
To recall, E’dl Adha honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God’s command.
Personally, I admire the steadfastness and adherence of Muslims to their religion’s teachings, starting from the numrous times they pray to the discipline they vow to their deity, Allah. Few of us Catholics can measure up to their steadfastness.
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In other parts of the world like Syria, Turkey, Gaza and Palestine territory, Muslims define their religion by way of atrocities and inclination to violence, if not war.
In Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, some extremists display their destructive fervor by vilence and wrong interpretation of jihad, or holy war; for to them, they would achieve glorification if they kill Christians, the more, the better.
No matter what the interpretations are, there is no substitute for world peace and unity, in the name of Allah.