In keeping up with its commitment to promoting peace and goodwill among Muslims and non-muslims, CMM will be sponsoring the "Third International Conference of Muslim Leaders". The event will be on Jan. 9 to Jan. 11 at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.
Here are excerpts of online articles from leading news broadsheet in the country.
While majority of the world made their countdowns on the eve of December 31, Muslims already had their Islamic New Year called Amon Jadid on December 28 based on the lunar Hijrah calendar.
Leaders such President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) Executive Director Datu Ali B. Sangki,ARMM Gov.Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan and UNESCO Commissioner Taha Basman all made their welcome to the new year adding a wish that may peace, love and faith continue to prevail among our Muslim brethren.
The Abu Sayaff, one of the country's armed group, has once again made their presence felt. In a newscast last week, a video footage of a burned Elementary school was aired which according to the military is the result of ASG's recent activity.
After two months of thorough screening, the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM) announces the final list of scholars accepted to the CMM Second Semester 2008-2009 Scholarship Program. This scholarship is available to poor but qualified Muslim students nationwide. Furthermore, because of internal displacements brought about by the conflict in Mindanao, deserving orphans were also given preference. Many of them are now staying in Lanao del Sur as refugees.
Comm. Basman and Prof. Thomas Michel of Georgetown University shook hands as the CMM Consultants watched happily to welcome the American visitors.
Muslim Leaders and Scholars from
international universities in the United States visited the CMM headquarters and
its community in Maharlika Village, Taguig City last December 1, 2008. CMM President,
Comm. Taha M. Basman,
personally welcomed the guests coming from: Georgetown University – Washington
D.C., Purdue University –
Indiana , Chicago University – Chicago, Notre Dame
University , and Indiana
University in Indiana.
The Center for
Moderate Muslims (CMM) is now going places, literally! At first, Taguig City was alone in hosting a small CMM office. Then, after a few months in 2004, Quiapo hosted a Youth Center for CMM. Other areas followed suit in welcoming some Programs, such as Imam Training in Calamba (Laguna), Qur’an Reading in Tandang Sora (Quezon City), and Women Seminars in Marawi City.
Amb. Preciosa S. Soliven (UNESCO Philippines Sec-Gen) cuts the ribbon opening the Planet Earth Exhibit at the Lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs on October 27, 2008, with (L-R) Comm. Ethel Valenzuela, Sec. Lito Atienza (DENR), USec. Edsel Custodio (DFA) and Comm. Taha M. Basman.
The CENTER
FOR MODERATE MUSLIMS (CMM), led by its President / Chairman, PROF. TAHA M. BASMAN (UNESCO
Commissioner), announces the expansion of the CMM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, thus:
Yes, it can be told again! The Muslim Youth has a very special place in the heart of the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM). The latest pro-Youth Project of the CMM is its expanded Scholarship Program, effective second semester of Academic Year 2008-2009 or this November 2008.
The Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM)
prepared for the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadhan by sponsoring a
parade of the participants of its various programs. More than one thousand
(1,000) beneficiaries joined the occasion to make the atmosphere in Maharlika
Village, Taguig lively to herald the coming of Ramadhan on August 31, 2008.
Center for Moderate Muslims - Davao Chapter continues the advocacy to promote peace and understanding through interfaith dialogue. One example is its active participation in the Muslim-Christian Women’s Federation based in Davao City, an umbrella organization of all existing women’s group in Davao City who have banded in unity with the common vision of helping the cause of the women’s sector.
Observers see 2008 as a bumper year for the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM). Its numerous mass-based services have attracted the keen eyes of philanthropic Groups from both local and international communities.
Center for Moderate Muslims Sunday seminars started in 2004 as the Sunday Women's Group. It began with 20 participants who did cooking, sharing delicacies, livelihood training programs, and parenting training. But soon the mothers decided to bring their children along. And eventually, the group of 20 grew to 70… and then to 150.
SHOM (Spouses of Heads of Mission) ladies led by its current President, Madam Cosetta Fedele (wife of Italian Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele, hands over their check donation to Center for Moderate Muslims for the provision of uniforms of the pupils of CMM-Hamdani Day Care Program.
The year 2008 (1429 Hijrah) augurs well for the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM) Programs and activities. The CMM/MRI has started the renovation of the chalet-type structure standing on the lot acquired from the family of the late Ambassador Candidato Gutoc. To date, what remains to be accomplished is the finishing phase. According to Comm. Taha Basman, CMM President, “we can transfer to our new home by the first week of February 2008. All units of CMM will now have close coordination in doing community services in Metro Manila.”
After a rigid screening of the candidates for the 3rd Ten Outstading Muslim Youth (TOMY) Awards, the ten (10) winners were finally feted at the Eurotel, Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila on March 15, 2008. The occasion was graced by successful Muslim businessman, Gov. Omar Al-Thani (Jose Antonio) Leviste, as Guest Speaker. An inspirational message was also delivered by the indefatigable Dean of the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies, Dr. Mashur Bin Ghalib Jundam. Gov.Leviste,
Aside from the regular Imam Training, Women’s Seminar, Children’s Madrasah and their weekly radio program, “CMM Forum,” Center for Moderate Muslim - Zamboanga Chapter coordinators, Ms. Zaraida Mistul and Engr. Judz Ladjamatli continue to pursue service to the Muslim community through livelihood training programs with the local TESDA office in Zamboanga City.
The Minister Counselor of the Malaysian Embassy, Madame Che Khasnah, asked the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM) through its President, Comm. Taha M. Basman, to assist in contacting the following Muslim students who passed the First Phase of the examinations and interviews given by the Al-Bukhari University in Malaysia. The CMM is one of the partner organizations tapped by the Malaysian Embassy in endorsing applicants to the scholarship grant.
The lucky students, who are scheduled to fly to Malaysia
