These days, the staff and officers of the Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM) have good reasons to feel some sort of special happiness in doing their regular chores of serving the Muslim communities.  To an outside onlooker, such feeling may seem superficial.  But to someone who professes “moderation,” happiness comes by easily because he finds utmost satisfaction even in the smallest and simplest blessings that Allah (swt) gives him.

Here are some of the ordinary things that make the CMM staff extra happy –

·          Expanded Scholarship Program that now includes the Madrasah “morit” (students), who used to be a neglected sector of the Youth and would, therefore, easily become frustrated and “unpatriotic” due to the absence of Government assistance to their education and employment.  The Asatidh (Madrasah Teachers) are now jubilant over the inclusion of their students in the Program because they feel that they are now being considered as part of mainstream society;

·          Modest Relief Assistance to the evacuees in the conflict—affected communities in Mindanao who feel neglected because of the scarce resources that reach them due to their increasing number day in and day out.  These communities now look up to the CMM as an able ally and partner, even in times of disaster and adversity;

·          Support of almost all sectors and friends to the CMM Programs, especially the field works being done in Mindanao during the crisis.  Phone calls and text messages were received from influential personalities like General Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, Gov. Omar Al-Thani Leviste, ARMM Solicitor-General Bai Sayadi, MILF Spokesman Eid Kabalu, some Local Government Officials whose communities were visited by the CMM Staff, and even Muslim media personalities who were able to cover the field work like Nash Maulana, of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Julmunir Janaral of Manila Times, and, of course, Edd Usman of Manila Bulletin.

We can enumerate many other simple, but beautiful things that come our way.  Our ecstasy, however, can be understood clearly by the explanation of one Muslim scholar who is a “Moderate,” like us:

        There are two factors that help lead one a happy life:  Moderation in anger and moderation in fulfilling one’s desires – One has to be moderate in fulfilling his desires, lest his desires and lusts increase to the point of constantly seeking to be satisfied, an outcome that will lead to his destruction.  The same can be said about anger, for it too can lead to destruction.

        What is required in all affairs is moderation.  Strength, when in excess, makes violence and killing easy.  And yet if there is a shortage of it, one will not be able to defend oneself against transgressors. But when one uses strength moderately, he can display the qualities of patience, bravery and wisdom, each in its proper place and time.  The same goes for desire; if there is too much of it, then wickedness and licentiousness will prevail; if there is too little of it, then one will become weak.  However, if it is present in due moderation, one will achieve both chastity and satisfaction. 

                        ‘Upon you is to follow the guidance of moderation.’ 

        (Thus, We have made you  [real believers of Islamic Monotheism] a just [and the best] nation…)    (Qur’an 2:143)

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        Here are some short text messages that also make us very happy:

“Eid Mubarak sir! May Allah bless you for your help to the ummah.  The article on Depression by Ms. Roslaini Iljas Rasuman in the Universal Message was very helpful” - Yusuph Ledesma, La Salle Professor

“Salam, Comm, glad to have a copy of the Universal Message.  Very well-edited.  Really great!” – Nash Maulana, Correspondent, Philippine Daily Inquirer

And congratulatory notes from Bishop Ephraim Tendero, Over-all Head of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches; Mr. Ramon Tuazon, President of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication; Commissioner Mel Velarde, President of Nextel Communications (Philippines); and many others who share the vision of CMM. 

These words of encouragement from influential personalities make us truly happy.  Let us then make as our philosophy in life “counting our blessings.”  This will make us feel good always.  Take it from us!