Moros condemn religious discrimination in Switzerland

A mosque stands in the background of a market place in the southern Philippine city of Cotabato. Muslims in the Philippines have condemned the Swiss ban of the construction of minarets in mosques in Switzerland. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Thousands of Muslim believers converged Sunday morning at a public square in Cotabato City in the southern Philipines to condemn a recent move in Switzerland to ban the construction of minarets in mosques.

Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao headed by Sheikh Jaapar Ali spearheaded the rally which was participated by various Islamic schools and other non-governmental organizations and civilians.

Several sectors in attendance have delivered speeches to denounce the Swiss law which for them discriminate the Muslims in Switzerland.

Sheikh Ali read the manifesto of the group. He called on all ulama or religious and political leaders, individuals, and the Organization of Islamic Conference to appeal to the Swiss government to uphold the universal principles for the freedom of religion and the rights of minorities in Switzerland and in other parts of the world.

Ustadz Norden Hussain who represented the group of Imams in the city also called on all Muslims in the world to stand united in condemning the Swiss government.

He emphasized that Muslims in the world are brothers and sisters even how far a distance they may be situated. He also challenged the Muslim leaders in the Philippines, especially those seeking elective position in the government for the May polls, to show their sincerity to be a true Muslim.
“Most of our leaders are so prompt to attend a rally if it’s for politics (campaigns) but they do not if it’s for fighting the rights of the Bangsamoro, most of all, for Islam. This is the time for you to express concern with our brothers in other country” Hussain emotionally uttered

Lawyer James Dalumimbang, who brought out the voice of the Muslim professionals, described the fate of the minorities in the Southern Philippines. He told the huge crowd the disadvantaged status of the Bangsamoro in its native place and narrated a few footnotes of the past where Muslims in the Philippines were abused and mercilessly killed.

For the women sector, Ustadza Anisa Taha challenged the Muslim ummah to condemn in the strongest possible term the law banning the making of minaret in the Mosques in Switzerland.

She also issued a strong opposition to the law in France prohibiting women to wear hijab. “I call on the united kingdom and the western world in general to propagate peace without discriminating other religion (Islam). Otherwise, world hatred will exist among religions in the world” Ustadza Anisa said.

The rally ended after the groups in attendance have signed the manifesto.(Nash Acan)

Violent dispersal of slum dwellers near mosque in Philippines denounced, condemned

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 19, 2009) – Philippine Muslim rebels have denounced Thursday the violent dispersal by armed policemen of dozens of Muslim dwellers in Pasay City that killed 3 people and injured many others.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is currently negotiating peace with Manila, said Wednesday dispersal of shanty owners was violent.

Government workers backed by armed policemen demolished shanty houses around a mosque. Television pictures aired late Wednesday showed policemen firing their rifles toward a group of Muslims atop the mosque throwing stones at government workers tearing down their houses.

“It was violent and armed policemen opened fire on the Muslims who are protesting the demolition of their houses. They should have resolved the problems peacefully,” said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.

News videos also showed demolition workers pushing away Muslim women trying to protect their homes from being demolished.

“I was shocked when I saw the news last night. It was like a scene in Palestine - Israeli soldiers firing their weapons at unarmed Palestinians who are only defending their homes from being demolished – it was barbaric,” said a Muslim villager in Zamboanga City, Omar Abdullah, 47.

The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday condemned the violent demolition in Pasay City and said it is investigating the incident.

“The use of firearms is strictly prohibited during demolition operations. The Philippine National Police has no justification for the discharge of firearms, whether for the purpose of firing warning shots, disabling or killing protesters,” said lawyer Leila De Lima, who heads the human rights body.

“Given that only non-lethal modes of violent intervention are allowed, such as tear gas and water cannons, and only as a last resort, clearly the Philippine National Police, by its own rules, cannot use firearms in demolitions,” De Lima said. “I cannot understand what justification the Philippine National Police may have in using their firearms for warning shots. Neither can I understand the necessity of firing their weapons to injure protesters, armed or otherwise.”

Security officials said the protesters were armed with homemade guns and explosives and that policemen only fired warning shots, an accusation strongly denied by villagers.

“While we condemn the Philippine National Police’s use of firearms, we cannot turn a blind eye to reports that the inhabitants of the demolished community used homemade firearms and explosive devices, in addition to throwing stones at demolition operatives. No one should take the law into their own hands, and no one should resort to criminal means in the guise of protecting their rights,” De Lima said.

She also called on the Philippine National police to properly document and identify those who may have used firearms, both from their own ranks and from the demolished community. (Mindanao Examiner)

RP Troops Assault Mosque Where MILF Rebels Pray, Military Denies Accusations

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 13, 2008) –

Philippine troops attacked a mosque where rebels were praying in the restive region of Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said, but the army denied the accusations Saturday.

The MILF said security forces launched the attack while rebels were praying Friday in the village of Daliao in Sarangani's Maasim town where the MILF maintains several encampments.

The MILF said one rebel was killed in the noontime assault and condemned the attack on the mosque. The assault triggered a fire fight that killed ten government soldiers, the MILF said. A military said at least 20 rebels died in the clash.

"Firing at mosque, a sacred religious symbol of the Muslims, is an attack to all the Muslims the world over. This is an act totally disrespectful of the cultural and religious symbols of the Muslims," the MILF said in a statement.

It was not the first time that government forces attacked mosques while battling rebels in Mindanao, the MILF said. It said security forces also attacked mosques in 2003 during an offensive against the MILF.

Army Lt. Col. Roland Bautista, spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, said two soldiers were wounded in the clash with about 100 rebels. He also denied troops attacked any mosque in the village.

"The rebels were advancing toward civilian areas and soldiers stopped them from getting near those areas. We deny MILF accusations that troops attacked the mosque," Bautista told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said troops also overran a rebel encampment in the village and destroyed several bunkers.

Manila suspended peace talks with the MILF after rebel forces mounted a series of deadly attacks last month in Mindanao that left dozens of civilians dead. The rebels launched the attacks after the aborted signing of the homeland deal which would have granted some four million Muslims their homeland in more than 700 villages in Mindanao.

President Gloria Arroyo eventually scrapped the deal and abolished the government team negotiating peace with the MILF.

Although the seven-year old peace talks were stalled, a fragile cease-fire still exists in the restive region, but sporadic clashes between rebels and troops are also threatening the fragile truce accord. (With a report from Romy Bwaga)

Photo: Tulay Mosque Of Jolo Island

The magnificent Tulay mosque -- built from donations or zakat -- stands majestically in the middle of downtown Jolo in the southern Philippines, with four towers being used to call every Muslims to prayers several times a day. It is the center of Islamic faith on the island in the Sulu Archipelago. The Tulay mosque now towers Jolo's skyline. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)