Here's good news for everybody's body and soul! The Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM) is conducting a Training Program for the Imams and the wannabes, every Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is realized that, while extending different services to the Muslim constituents, values formation and spirituality must not be set aside if tranquility and goodness in the communities are to be achieved.

The quality of our everyday life is crucially important to our peace and happiness. Such life can be a pleasure and a joy, or it can also be a burden or a misery, and therefore it can become a boring and a meaningless exercise. It is then advisable that in living our life, we must consider getting a model to serve as our reference in molding our values and practices.

The Imam is chosen to be the main clientele of the CMM Program because an analysis of the influence of sectoral leaders shows that the ordinary family always consults the Imam on various matters affecting the members – from cradle to grave, so to speak. There is, therefore, a dire need for the Imam to be a model, both in his thinking and his ways, for the youth and other members of the community to emulate. He must then become the epitome for spirituality, peace, religiosity, moderation, tolerance, patience, and all good values that a Muslim should exemplify.

The Imam Training Centers are established in Marawi City, Davao City, Zamboanga City, Cebu City, Calamba (Laguna), Quiapo (Manila), Tandang Sora (Quezon City), and Maharlika Village (Taguig). Soon to be opened are the Training Centers in Angeles City (Pampanga), and Cotabato City. It is very gratifying to note that so many sectors are requesting the establishment of such Centers in their communities because they see the importance of knowing not only the proper procedures in the prayers, khutba (sermon), solemnization of marriages, and other religious rituals, but also the real ways of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) which are anchored on moderation, tolerance, patience, and peaceful co-existence.

The basic courses in the Training Program are Fiqh (basic rules of religious practices), Qur'an Reading (Tajweed), Oneness of God (Tawheed), and Hadith (ways of the Prophet). The participants are given ample time for the "question and answer portion," where they are enlightened about some important issues regarding Islam.

So many Islamic authorities and experts support the Program. Among them are: Justice Saaduddin Alauya, Aleem Siddique Somalug, Aleem Isa Usman, Aleem Zacaria Duta, Ustaz Shafatullah Emam, Ustaz Abdul Carim Hussain, Ustaz Ulomoden Mamoransing, Aleem Sandiman Lomala, Aleem Mahmoud Adilao, Ustaz Juhdar Ladjamatli, Aleem Mohammad Hassan Cana, Ustaz Basher Tomilang, Ustaz Alihassan Taha, Ustaz Solaiman Tanog, Imam Haron Mangadapa, Imam Usman Emam, Imam Hanien Yusoph, and Imam Ahmad Hamjatin. The Imam Council of the Philippines, headed by Imam Moxsir, has also participated in the Program.

Everybody is invited to join this Free Training Program. Let us march towards religiosity and Peace! Salam to all!!!