Murad says other groups distorting Islam

COTABATO CITY - The head of the country’s largest separatist group of Muslim rebels urged on Monday his followers and supporters all over Mindanao to be more vigilant as there are many groups who are distorting their religion to justify evil activities that victimize not only their “enemies” but also Muslims.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Al haj Ibrahim Murad made the appeal as he issued a belated greeting statement to Muslims in Mindanao and Sulu on the occasion of the Ramadan.

Murad reminded his followers and supporters that Ramadan gives them strength of spirit and character.

Murad said Ramadan instills among Muslims the noble quality of will power and determination; it develops in them the virtue of displaying affection towards the poor and the distressed, the valuable quality of patience and nurtures a gentle and forbearing character.

“The Holy Koran says: O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may become pious. The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad said: Ramadan is the month of patience and endurance,” Murad explained.

Also quoting Muhammad’s teachings, Murad said as a further guidance to those performing the fasting, the Prophet also said: “If one of you is fasting, he should not use obscene language or behave foolishly and imprudently; and if someone fights with him or abuses him, he should say: I am fasting! I am fasting!”

He urged fellow Muslims to unite and strive, saying they are not yet free and strong to confront trials and tribulations.

Ramadan started October 15 and will end on November 15.

A ranking official of the MILF assailed Monday Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat for opposing the establishment of a mobile office in Zamboanga of Malaysian-led peace monitors.

MILF peace panel secretariat head Jun Mantawil urged the Philippine government to be decisive in handling dissenters within its ranks if it wants the peace process to move forward and succeed.

Last week, Lobregat said he would strongly oppose any move to establish in Zamboanga the headquarters of a Malaysian team monitoring the peace process that were tasked to oversee the implementation of government and MILF cease-fire agreement.

Lobregat also warned his city recognizes only one armed forces and will not allow MILF men carrying their firearms as they are strictly implementing a gun ban.

Mantawil recalled that during the 5th GRP-MILF exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last February, the government was insisting that the main headquarters of the IMT should be Zamboanga City.However, he said the Front argued well for Cotabato City, saying that the main power base of the MILF is in Central Mindanao, where most of the fighting is taking place.

“The government must show decisiveness in enforcing its part of the bargain. Lobregat must be made to toe the line of the government, otherwise, the MILF will have second thoughts in dealing with a weak administration,” Mantawil stressed. With B. Garcia