The CMM-Hamdani Day Care Program in Maharlika Village, Taguig City conducted its closing ceremonies last March 28, 2009 at the Silangan Elementary School (Annex) grounds in simple rites with special guests from CMM’s network institutions in attendance. The 226 pupils, together with their parents, relatives and friends, braved the summer heat in their toga and matching hijab and skull cap to receive their certificates.

   Guests included Madam Rosalwati Rasidi, wife of Ambassador Hazizi Rasidi of the Malaysian Embassy. Madam Rosalwati initiated the donation of school uniforms from the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM) to the Day Care pupils for the school year 2008-2009. It can be remembered that officers of the SHOM visited the CMM offices in July last year to personally handover the check to CMM for the purchase of school uniforms for the pupils in the presence of the late Comm. Taha M. Basman.

   Madam Ira Hapsary-Subagio, Attache for National Education of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, described the madrasah schools in their country, particularly the “pesantren.” She also informed CMM that her Embassy can help in programs for Muslim children. In her message, (read by Ms. Cecille Fortuna of the OBMCCI) UNESCO National Commission Secretary General Ambassador Preciosa Soliven shared the thrust of UNESCO in providing education for all, regardless of color and creed. 1Lt Jovily Cabading of the Youth Leadership Summit encouraged the pupils to pursue education because she reiterated that this will help them in their future career as leaders. Mr. Juvencito Bahar, principal of Silangan Elementary School (Annex), on his part, announced that the graduates of CMM Day Care Program will automatically be admitted in their school for their primary education. Also present during the occasion was Mr. Azam Ismail, representing the Hamdani Iljas Rasuman Foundation. Said Foundation provides free use of the three-classroom school building where the Day Care Program is held.

   “The CMM-Hamdani Day Care Program, will continue, Inshallah, despite the passing away of Commissioner Basman,” according to CMM’s Executive Director Hadja Tahara Ann Basman. “Despite the dearth of funds, we will endeavor to provide education to our community, in our own humble way, in keeping with Commissioner Basman’s vision of making every Muslim Filipino literate in order to have equal opportunities with our non-Muslim counterpart.”

   See the gallery for more pictures.