|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
|
|
CMM Conference of Muslim Leaders concluded |
|
|
CMM, headed by Prof. Taha Basman, commissioner of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Third International Conference of Muslim Leaders held last January 9-11, 2009 as a rousing success, with its theme, “Redirecting Islamic Da’wah: Addressing the Contemporary Concerns of the UMMAH (Muslim Community).”
 Comm. Basman addressing the participants to the Third International Conference of Muslim Leaders who came from different local and international Muslim groups.  He thanked the participants for coming and contributing to the enrichment of the discussion on issues and concerns confronting the global Muslim community called Ummah. The Islamic forum attended by delegates from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, showed the urgent need for Moro tribes in the Philippines to unite in order to address the equally urgent need to return to the basic teachings of the Qur'an and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad.
In his keynote speech, Ambassador Ameen Wali of Saudi Arabia assured local and foreign participants of the conference that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to support the 12-year-old peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He believes that “only with peace in Mindanao can development and investments follow.”
"Thus, it is very timely to redirect da’wah to strengthen the 1.8 billion Ummah, economically by fighting the war against poverty; politically by uniting diverse Muslim forces or groups; and improving the Islam in us by living righteously and through quality education, both Islamic and in the sciences and mathematics," Wali said.
World equestrian champion and youth role model Toni Leviste, who took the name "Khalida" upon embracing Islam, challenged the Muslim youth to aspire for excellence, saying their being part of a marginalized group should not discourage them. "I dare the Muslim youth today to dream...to make a statement...to put a stamp in the world you had lived and labored and dreamed...all in the name of Allah," the young Leviste said. "Heed the call... Have the courage amidst difficulties. Both obstacles and adversaries are there to make us stronger and wiser, be thankful for them...Rise to the challenge my brothers and sisters, and dare to dream your dreams, Allah will provide," she said.
Ms. Roslaini Rasuman, a former ADB Executive, said, “The role of the Muslim woman in guiding and raising her children to fully understand the true teachings of Islam as a religion of truth, peace, tolerance and moderation has become most important and relevant at this time when so many young Muslims resort to violence in order to express their anger, frustrations and hatred towards those who they see as enemies of Islam. No matter how noble and justified these young Muslims’ goals are, resorting to violence where many innocent civilians especially women, children and the elderly become victims, can never be justified nor condoned by Islam.”
Prof. Mashur Bin Ghalib Jundam, dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the University of the Philippines, said "Returning to the Qur'anic fundamentals is not radicalism or extremism because Islam is peace." The forum, in a way, showed that Moro political leaders must show the way in moral leadership for they are being watched by the youth. "If the Muslim youth only see the un-Islamic ways of our political leaders of all tribes, then our youth might think there is nothing wrong with doing wrong. This is disastrous to our Islamic society," he said.
Maj. Gen. Ben Muhammad Dolorfino, Marine commandant, presented the Marine Corps program to help achieve peace with the paper "Breaking Barriers, Building Partnerships and Helping Make New Societal Arrangements." Dolorfino said the presence of the Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiyyah, and some al-Qaeda elements point to the growth of extremism in Muslim communities. He said the fight against extremism demands more than a military solution.
Dato Ismail Bin Mohammad of Malaysia and Gusi Prize Laureate, rallied the Muslim participants to seek knowledge in his paper entitled, “Good Business and Spiritual Activity for Muslims Today,” This should be done, “in order to understand the nature of all things, Allah (swt) encouraged us to seek bounties/treasures to meet our ends/needs…”
Justice Saaduddin Alauya (Grand Mufti) talked on the topic “Shariah in the Philippines.” Hon. Salipada Tamano, former Secretary of Education (ARMM) believed that “something must be done to correct and to rectify the traditional way of understanding and practicing of Islam, as our way of life. Therefore, we need to improve and to redirect our ways and methodology of doing our Islamic da’wah – individually and collectively.”
The conference also focused on issues such as deviation, radicalism and disunity among Muslim missionary (da’wah) groups, problems facing the youth (many of whom are easily lured by extremist and violent groups), the role of women in the family and the community, economic opportunities, which is important to many Muslim Filipino traders.
Other speakers include: Aleem Esmail Ibrahim (Darul Iftah), “The Role of Darul IFtah in Uniting and Empowering the Ummah”; Dr. Macapado Muslim (President, Mindanao State University), “The Role of MSU in Enhancing Unity and Productivity of the Ummah”; Gov. Omar Al-Thani Leviste (President, JALCO), “Good Business Opportunities for the Filipino Muslims Today”; ASec Matanog Mapandi (Department of Energy), “The Assistance of the Muslim Countries to the Energy Problems of the Philippines”; Atty. Mapupuno Datu Ramos, “Achieving Clean Elections in the ARMM”; Bai Omera Lucman (Board of Trustees, OWWA), “Employment Opportunities for the Muslims”; Jamil Almarez (ISCAG), “Accomplishments of ISCAG Through the Years”; Dr. Ansari Castillo (Philippine Heart Center), “Explaining the Human Heart”; Salem Guimba (National Ulama Council), “Islamic Da’wah in Jails”; and Sanusi Ismail (Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Indonesia), “The Advantages of Good Muslim-Christian Relations in Indonesia and the Philippines.”
Prof Basman said,“Muslims should strive to follow the real teaching of Islam which is ummatan wasata or moderation. With this we can achieve peaceful co-existence in the world.”
The Center for Moderate Muslims has affiliates in the Asean countries. It has been promoting interfaith dialogue, fostering religious tolerance and harmony, and working for peace between Muslims and non-Muslims and among Muslims. It held its first dialogue in 2004 and the second one in 2006.
The Islamic forum ended with an emotional, collective prayer for the quick recovery of Basman, who was not well. He went against medical advice, attending and seeing through the event's conclusion.
|
|
|
Food for Thought
“…..The gap set up between the Muslims (Islam) and the rest of the world can be removed only by an open-minded approach to the Qur’an, Islam, and the Muslim situation. For a number of historical reasons, contact between the West and the Islamic World is increasing. The relationship must grow on a foundation of knowledge and objective understanding. In this period, bias and ignorance deserve to be seen more as a challenge to be overcome than obstacles to be helplessly lamented!...”
- from the files of
Comm. Taha M. Basman
on Interfaith Dialogue
Other Online News
Statistics
Members: 56
News: 135
Web Links: 10
Visitors: 42038
|
