(CSF-MUSLIM COMMUNITY HARMONIOUS TIES. Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, on behalf of the City Government, graces the Commencement Ceremony of new Qur’an guardians, held October 7, 2018, at City Hall.)
In the 2010 Census of the National Statistics Office (now Philippine Statistics Authority), there are more than five (5) million Muslim Filipinos in the country, making Islam as the second largest religion.
Over the past years, the Islamic community has been facing religious discrimination in some parts of the world, and in the Philippines, as well. But in the City of San Fernando, the case is different.
“The members of the Muslim Community in the city are ‘well-supported’ and ‘well-guided’, cited Kaiser Manguranda, the City Muslim Coordinator, adding that “harmonious ties” between the two parties is actively present.
During the commencement ceremony of New Successful Hufaazul Qur’an from Darul Haq Litahfiezil Qur’an Al-Islamy, (an Islamic school in San Pedro Cutud), held October 7, 2018, at City Hall, Manguranda highlighted that CSF has shown full support, even in the drive of the community in spreading the word of faith.
The ceremony was held to recognize six (6) young members of the community for having successfully mastered the whole part of Holy Qur’an, the message of Allah to humanity.
“Walang katulad at walang kapares yung ipinapakitang suporta ng lokal na gobyerno ng San Fernando at ni Mayor Edwin Santiago. Una yung Eid al-Adha pati yung Eid al-Fitr, nakikita namin yung assistance para sa Muslim brothers and sisters,” expressed Manguranda.
“Natutuwa din tayo dahil fruitful yung pag-uusap namin ng ating alkalde. Nabanggit niyang kasama sa plano ng siyudad ang pagtatayo ng karagdagang mga silid para sa Islamic studies, at iyan ang isa sa ating mga naisin,” he added.
In his speech, Santiago remarked that in the city, there is “shared governance.”
“Kasama natin sa gobyerno ang iba’t-ibang sektor, kabilang na ang religious sectors, kung saan kasapi ang Muslim Community – isang komunidad na piniling manirahan at mag-hanapbuhay dito – kaya itinuturing natin silang mga kababayan at Fernandino,” remarked Santiago.
Santiago also congratulated all the graduates, citing that they stand as good examples for the youth, regardless of their faith and beliefs.
“Napakaganda ng programa ng Muslim community dito sa Syudad ukol sa Islamic studies. Ang mga batang nagsipagtapos ngayon, sila ang ehemplo ng pagkakaroon ng matatag na pananampalataya,” Santiago added.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned graduates, as Manguranda mentioned, are set to be sent to Middle East for further studies of the Islamic religion.
Currently, the said school in San Pedro Cutud has sixty-eight (68) students, all undergoing Islamic studies.
