DAVAO CITY—In line with the celebration of Eid Mubarak, Maranao Tribe Deputy Mayor, Randy Usman asked for unity and help for his brothers and sisters in Marawi who were affected with the current war.
Usman asked his fellow Filipino people to not judge his tribe since not all Maranaos are members of the ISIS-linked Maute group.
He said that the people in Marawi needs help and understanding from everybody.
Usman said that they have set up several evacuation centers for the victims of the Marawi siege who seek refuge here in Davao City. Most of them stay in their relatives for the meantime while the war continues in their place.
At least six barangays in the city have received evacuees from Marawi since the war erupted last May.
“For those who would like to help, they can go to their barangay hall to give their donations. Anything will do, foods, clothes and even prayers, we hope for everybody’s understanding and not categorize the Maranaos as terrorist,” he said.
City Social Services and Development Office head Maria Luisa Bermudo said that their social workers are currently making a master’s list to monitor the needs and whereabouts of the evacuees during their stay here in Davao City.
“Our assessment is still ongoing since we still receive evacuees, as of now, we are giving them immediate food assistance,” Bermudo said.
Bermudo said that the city will also assist on the education of those who enrolled here in Davao City.
She said that they will coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) and even the Commissionon Higher Education (CHED) for the college students.
“We will coordinate with other agencies to help the evacuees, some signifies their intention to transfer here in the city permanently, we will also look into that,” Bermudo said.
Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the city of Marawi will be needing at least P10 billion to bring back the normality there that was devastated during the war.
Meanwhile, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Mondan urged Filipinos to let the observance of Eid’l Fitr be a reminder of the Filipino-Muslims’ heroic contributions to the country’s democracy. Gordon made the call as he congratulated the Filipino Muslims at the end of Ramadhan or their month-long journey of reflection, prayer and fasting.
“A glorious happy Eid-al-Fitr! As Filipinos, we should remember that we have a very important Islamic history and culture which is as unique as the other peoples of the Philippines tapestry like the Visayans,Ilongos, Cebuanos, Boholanos, Warays and the Luzon folks like the Tagalogs, Pampangenos, Bicolanos, Dumagats, Aetas, Atis, Ilokano, and others. We are all Filipinos who share one God, though we may call Him different names like Bathala, Allah or Diyos,” he said.
Gordon, who has always given importance to Muslims, noted that amidst the diversity in culture and religion, there is mutual respect and unity in the common good of an educated and a peaceful, prosperous nation with equal opportunities for all.
“Our brother Muslims have played a big part in our country’s history. They have fought the foreign invaders and they were never conquered. They should be accorded respect, understanding and acceptance. A good way of showing our respect for them is to join them in the observance of Eid’l Fitr, which is a day of joy, thanksgiving, worship, brotherhood, solidarity, and morality for the Islamic faith,” he said.
Senator Loren Legarda called on all Filipinos to show solidqrity with our Muslim beothers and sisters by stricinf to build peqceful communities where differences are respected.
“As a feast of great importance to Muslims, the Eidul Fitr has been a familiar occasion even to a Catholic-dominated nation, and I hope that it goes beyond familiarity and would pave the way for deeper understanding among Filipinos regardless of faith or religious belief,” she said. Coinciding with the celebration of the end of Ramadan.
Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros yesterday appealed to the public not to discriminate against internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi who are seeking temporary shelter in nearby cities after fleeing the armed conflict between government troops and the Maute terrorist group.
Hontiveros said that there were reports that a number of Maranaos who have complained of discrimination. They said that some house and apartment owners in nearby provinces have refused to rent out their properties after learning of their identities.
“I appeal to the public not to stoke the flames of Islamophobia. Discrimination breeds hate. It builds walls. It sustains unjust wars,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros said that while she understands the public’s security concerns, she warned them not to mistake discrimination for vigilance.
“This is the time for unity and solidarity. Amid these challenging times, we should not give in to our fears and prejudice. Let us not play into the script of the Maute terrorists, who want to sow fear and hate between Christians and Muslims,” she said.
The opposition senator urged appropriate government agencies to look into alleged cases of discriminatory practices against people displaced by the Marawi crisis, particularly Filipino-Muslims.
“The Duterte government must ensure that the well-being of all internally displaced persons are taken care of, including their protection from all forms of discrimination. They have suffered so much. Let usnot add to their pain,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros lauded the 8-hour truce implemented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Marawi City in observance of the Eid’l Fitr. She also commended the AFP for its decision to spare mosques from its military attacks. This despite reports that some mosques are being used by the Maute group as hiding places and vantage areas to launch sniper attacks.
“I laud the AFP for exercising religious sensitivity even as it continues with its effort to defeat the Maute terrorist group. I hope that this series of good gestures from the military will extend to heeding the Filipino-Muslim community’s call for an end to the indiscrimate aerial bombings,” Hontiveros said. “Even without Martial Law, I am confident that our brave and professional soldiers will be able to eliminate the terrorist threat in Marawi while respecting the cultural and religious sensitivities of our Muslim sisters and brothers.”
Muslims celebrate Eid’l FItr for three days after the end of the month of fasting.
The Feast of Ramadhan has been included in the list of regular holidays in the whole country in recognition of the religious and cultural significance of the Muslim celebration, by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177.