A couple of years ago, I wrote about the outstanding achievements of the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM). I was really surprised when the staff came up with a long list of good works the CMM accomplished during that early stage of its life. Alhamdulillah, the superb performance was also a result of the good chemistry between the CMM, on one hand, and its partners, on the other hand - the benefactors and the beneficiaries. We thank all concerned for the productive teamwork!

    To give an update of the CMM “report card,” let me write this sequel – after another two years of its existence. This time, we are amazed that the CMM has scaled more heights which we did not expect to come by, this early. For an organization which was initially intended to just propagate the right teachings of Islam on Moderation, Peaceful Co-existence, Tolerance, and Productivity, the present accomplishments went beyond our wild expectations.

    Let me cite the impressive record of the CMM during the period –

   • Provision of Scholarship Grants to sixty (60) talented Muslim students nationwide. (One of the CMM scholars, FATIMA NUSHAIBA ABUBAKAR, of Zamboanga City was chosen as a recipient of the Access Philippine Youth Leadership Program to attend the “International Ethnic Dialogue and Conflict Resolution” training seminar in North Illinois University Dekalb, Illinois, USA on April 6 – May 7, 2008);

   • Expanding the network of CMM in the international communities. In addition to the original partnership with the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah of Indonesia, alliances are made with other Muslim organizations/personalities in Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura), Malaysia (Dato Mohammad Ismael), Thailand (Office of the Sheik-ul-Islam), Diplomatic Corps in the Philippines (Spouses of Heads of Mission), and several Muslim communities in America (TOMY Awardee SHAHANA ABDULWAHID and CMM Consultant MINALANG BARAPANTAO were recipients of the US Leadership Exchange Program last April on the theme, “FAITH AND COMMUNITY: MUSLIM LEADERS EXCHANGE);

   • Reaching-out to all sectors of the local Muslim communities, including the Balik Islam Groups (Islamic Studies, Call and Guidance— ISCAG), the Media Groups, the Da’wah Centers, and the Student Councils of Universities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM);

   • Strengthening friendship with our Non-Muslim brothers/sisters, in accordance with the practice of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during his time, to enlighten them about the beautiful teachings of Islam on peaceful co-existence. For this issue, let me share with our readers another letter from a very dear friend, COMM. RENE SARMIENTO of the Commission on Elections;

   • Acquisition of a house and lot (500 sq. meters) for the CMM Headquarters in Taguig City. This is in addition to the house and lot offered for use by CMM for its Day Care Program by the Hamdani Foundation, headed by Ms. Roslaini Iljas Rasuman;

   • Touching the lives of over a million beneficiaries of the CMM Programs nationwide, such as the Women’s Seminars, Youth Programs, Computer Literacy, Imam Training, Ten Outstanding Muslim Youth Awards (TOMY), Media Programs, Gift-giving Activities, Tartil/Qur’an Reading, Day Care Centers, TESDA Livelihood Projects, Interfaith Dialogues, and several Value Formation Seminars.

   To sum up, we can say that the circle of friends of the CMM has grown geometrically. From a small group of five (5) organizers in 2004, the CMM manpower has now increased to more than 100 nationwide. From catering to only a few hundred beneficiaries during its organization, the CMM has now reached out to over a million happy recipients of its Programs and activities. Insha Allah, the CMM will not sit on these laurels. Our strong TEAMWORK will encourage us to work harder for everybody’s welfare! Shukran.