Muslim Groups in PHL Welcome Pope’s Visit, Call for Peace

Manila — Muslim groups in the Philippines are expressing their solidarity with Pope Francis in his call for peace. Just like the country’s Catholic community, they, too, are looking forward to the Pope’s visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19.

“We are one with many Filipinos in welcoming the visit of the Pope in the country. Pope Francis has visited many countries with the call for peace, interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance, and unity, which are cherished values in Islam,” said Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) Chair Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman in a statement.

Sumndad-Usman said, “We in YMPN hope the Pope could give a message of support for the peace process in Mindanao. His support could boost peace efforts following the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”

“May his words and actions influence more people, starting with the youth, to help build a culture of sustainable peace in the country and the whole world. May his compassion and peace building efforts across religions, including Islam, inspire our leaders to do what’s best for our people, who have the right to live in peace,” she said.

Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy president Amina Rasul in a statement also wrote, “Muslims in the Philippines should welcome the arrival of the Pope as we are in the last chapters of the peace process with the Moro liberation fronts of Mindanao. Pope Francis’ call for peoples of all faiths to respect each other’s religions and come together as a global community should resonate among the diverse peoples of Mindanao.”

Professor Al-Rashid T. Jama, Chairperson of Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society- Western Mindanao Chapter, echoed the same hope that the Pope will speak about the Mindanao peace process, specifically about the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is pending for passage by Congress. “Hope to be able to listen in his message for the issue above. We have a working pope that’s the positive thing.”

Datu Alexander Mama-o, president of the Filipino Alliance for Integrity and Reform (FAIR Movement-Philippines) said, “We hope the Pope’s visit will be followed by the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in March. It will be a historic law that aims to unite all Filipinos [in reaching for] our shared dream for peace and economic development.”

One Bangsamoro Movement’s head Allan Balangi said, “We hope the visit of the Pope will touch the hearts and minds of Filipinos, especially our lawmakers, to urge them to work for peace in Mindanao through the proposed law. The Bangsamoro bill is for peace and unity of all Filipinos.”

Balangi said the story of peace-building through the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, having ended decades of struggle in the south, could inspire the rest of the world.

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary and peace panel member Yasmin Busran-Lao said the agency joins the Catholic community in welcoming the Pope. “We stand in solidarity with Pope Francis’ call to respect one another as brothers and sisters, to understand the suffering of others, to not abuse the name of God through violence, and to work together for justice and peace.” (PR)