(FILE PHOTO/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Muslim residents here only have one prayer – peace in the country, as they celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Sunday, June 25.
The Muslim’s observance of the month-long fast during Ramadan began on May 27, four days after the attack of the IS-linked Maute group in Marawi City erupted. On the same day of attack, May 23, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial law in the whole island of Mindanao.
“Ang hinihiling namin sa Allah na itong gulo sa Marawi ay dapat tuldukan na. Mawala na lahat ang gulo at magsama-sama lahat ng Muslims at non-muslims. I hope na matapos na itong gulo sa Marawi (We pray to Allah that the war in Marawi will soon end. We pray all Muslims and non-Muslims will be united. I hope this conflict in Marawi will end),” Deputy Mayor of the Maranao tribe Randy Usman said in an interview.
It has been over a month, 34 days to be exact, that portions of Marawi City became a war zone as clashes between the military and the Maute group continues.
Usman told Davao Today that the situation in Marawi and other affected areas is Allah’s test on the observance of Ramadan of Moros especially the displaced persons and victims of the war.
According to Usman, about 580 families have already evacuated here in the city. The evacuees are considered as “home-based” since they live with their relatives and not in evacuation centers.
“Panawagan sa lahat ng innocent civilians yung natamaan sa Marawi na hindi nakapag Ramadan ng maigi, na hindi nakapagperform ng Ibada ay nandoon na kay Allah na paumanhin,” Usman added.
Meanwhile, ARMM Governor Chief of Staff Rasol Mitmug Jr. told Davao Today that the evacuees in other areas such as Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) and Iligan were also able to commemorate Eid’l Fit’r since there are designated centralized prayer areas.
“Ang balita ko po, sa Iligan City may centralized prayer sa city hall, sa CDO sa Pelaez gym, sa Cotabato City meron din. Okay naman, nakakapagperform naman parin tayo ng basic obligations as muslim,” Mitmug said.
Mitmug added that around 40,000 families evacuated to other neighboring cities of Marawi including Iligan and Cagayan de Oro while 280 families are recorded in Cotabato City.
“’Wag po sana nating makalimutan after sa season ng Ramadan dahil ang mas importante ay ang buhay na nasimulan natin ngayong Ramadan ay maipagpatuloy natin at iniiwasan po natin ang gumamit ng dahas so dapat po lagi tayong mahinahon at magsunod sa Allah,” Mitmug said.
Usman also called out to all Moros affected by the siege in Marawi to strengthen faith in Allah and unite with Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
Usman said that he hopes that the celebration of Eid’l Fit’r and all the coming days be always peaceful and always be offered to Allah. (davaotoday.com)
