OPINION

DURIAN
text AMINA RASUL, Former Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs

The Moro Times and Jihad for peace

Sections of newspapers are devoted to inspecting minutiae about the loves and scandals of movie stars. Magazines are devoted to the lives of the rich, powerful and fabulous—what they wear, their parties, the problems of their favorite dogs. Why is there no such focus on a major segment of our population: the minorities? For instance, published information about Muslims in the Philippines is sporadic and emanates from a very political prism. News reports are usually about terrorism, corruption, electoral shenanigans.

Belonging to a Tausug clan steeped in the history of Muslims in Mindanao, my reality has been a collage of the global, modern world I work in and the world of my family in the islands of Sulu and TawiTawi. I could see how knowledge of one world would enrich the other—knowledge which could erase discrimination stemming from ignorance. I wondered why there was no medium to transfer such knowledge.

Wonder no more! The Manila Times will soon publish a new monthly section—The Moro Times—devoted to Muslim issues and Mindanao. It will feature articles on Muslim business opportunities, arts and culture, religion and history. A collaboration between The Manila Times and the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, this new section can foster better understanding between Muslims and Christians. Since we fear what we do not know, The Moro Times will fill the void of ignorance.

The Moro Times provides a door for all readers to enter the exotic world of the Muslims of the Philippines. Find out about business opportunities in Muslim Mindanao and tie up with credible local businessmen. Ever wondered what halal food is? Read about how Maranaos celebrate weddings. Want to buy hand-woven textiles of the Tausug and Yakan and the best-priced pearls? Learn about Islamic art. Did you know that there is a spiritual site in TawiTawi that natives believe is protected by white monkeys?

This "virtual" door will allow the reader to take a peek—from the safe corner of your room—into our world. This door, unlocked, allows us to welcome you in. Do keep the door open.

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Update from Sulu: 64 Sulu women from Indanan, Patikul and Jolo, recently went through a training program on peace advocacy and conflict transformation. Support came from the US Embassy, one of the grants given to strengthen civil society. Last Thursday the women organized themselves into Muslim Women Peace Advocates (MWPA) municipal councils, vowing to replicate themselves at the barangay level. The women will thus establish a homegrown network of peace advocates working to transform conflict and promote human rights, especially women’s rights.

Why is this little project worthy of notice? First, Patikul and Indanan are the arena of skirmishes between government troops and insurgents (Indanan is the seat of the Moro National Liberation Front.) Just last week my nephew, an Army sergeant, was killed in an ambush by unknown assailants on motorcycles, the third ambush in a week. Second, most bloody conflicts stem from feuds which could have been prevented by timely mediation. Third, the women community leaders were a diverse group: teachers and professionals, grade-school dropouts, barangay councilors, neo-literates, among others.

"Why is there conflict in your area?" Politicking was the number one cause. Only two from conflict-prone Indanan mentioned terrorism or insurgency. Amazing. Security experts, listen to women! You want peace in Muslim Mindanao? Tell Malacañang to stop dirty politics. Ambassador Kenney, please advise your government to empower more women instead of buying more munitions. (By the way, the women thank you profusely for supporting this program).

I wonder if the SONA will promise peace at the hands of the people or peace from the barrel of a gun…

Dr. Norma Abdullah, president of the MWPA-Sulu Council, the organizing group, summed up their task in a slogan "Jihad Pag Lag Sin Kasajahitraan." Simply put, the "holy fight for peace." "We will take hold of our lives," said one participant, realizing they can do more to protect their families if they intervene in their community. Then all the women rushed home to prepare dinner, eager to practice new skills on squabbling family members. Today my husband; tomorrow my world! You go, girls!