WAMY - Philippines

By: Muhammad Bani

WAMY-Philippines has sponsored a gathering for the Muslims as part of their Eidul Adha celebration held last November 28, 2009 in Mamitua Saber Technology and Research Center in MSU Main, Marawi City.

The said gathering although intended particularly for Muslim reverts was also attended by born Muslims from different tribes, i.e. Maranao, Tausug and Maguindanao. Its main purpose is not just to celebrate the Eidul Adha but also to build a strong brotherhood between the Muslim reverts and born Muslims.
Mindamera Macarambon Saber gave the opening remarks. It was followed by a lecture of Muhammad Bani, who talked about the significance of Yawmu Arafah and Eidul Adha. After his lecture, Dr. Salipada Tamano continued the lecture on importance of Eidul Adha celebration.
In behalf of the Balik Islam, Mrs. Macarambon thanked WAMY for their continuing support to their program and activities. She told them that after this event it will be followed by a series of lectures and programs, Inshaallah.
After the program, lunch was served.

By: Abdulhamid M. Gunda

MSU Student, 1st Place in the 2nd Category

The seemingly appropriate questions I want to anchor that follow are in line with the worldly known descriptions of today’s Muslim populace being the threats against the westerners. Where are we now? Up to what extent we can spread our wings? Do we take steps to prevent any untoward attacks of the westerners? Or is there a guarantee our reserved weapons are sufficiently enough to sustain the more than everlasting starvations to come? And have we started implanting to our youths the real cure to whatever disease may come the Muslim Ummah more centuries to come? Come and let’s think of these, brothers and sisters.

The said questions which appear to be more pressing will hopefully remind and restrict our leaders, those whoever take the front seats of our walks to life, from disclaiming their shares in the time to come the fruits of what they had inculcated in us will adversely affect Muslim Ummah and cause Islam became tainted. God forbid million times. Yes, due to our heedlessness we unconsciously point our fingers to wherever place we think we could have our minutes pleasures the worldly life could offer. And at the end it is us the remnants of misguided leadership left all alone in an abandoned space accused as the barbaric, uneducated, illiterate, ignorant, incapable and the worst of all irreligious individuals soon to be diagnosed the cancers of the society.

On the day of Eid’l Adha, WAMY Philippines along with the volunteers and affiliated organizations nationwide such as BAMY, MYASP, MYS, WMSU-MSA, Ittihado Shabab, Ahlo Sunnah implemented the 2009 WAMY’s meat distribution program. By this program, it strengthens the relationship between the poor and the rich Muslim communities. This regular charitable practices are demonstrated during this day by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days This program was implemented in more than 10 cities nationwide: Cavite, Manila, Zamboanga, Davao, Mati, Cotabato, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Marawi City.  At least 4,480 families benefited from the meat distribution program in which 90% of total beneficiaries are in Mindanao area.
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Collected by: Juffali Mamondiong (Capitol University Student)

Peace is not the absence of war in a particular place but the unity of people itself. Peace is very important for us, without peace we can’t develop ourselves a better one. When you say peace, it doesn’t mean the war was finally ended because in this world, every happy ending is just a difficult beginning. Some people say keep on fighting without thinking what will be the result of their battle.

Its not keeping the people on the other hand but giving freedom from what we want. Peace is the bridge in accurate education which can lead us in the integrity. And education is our key to success, which can build our world a better one.

Peace is our dignity and also is respect. Peace is the one who protect people from war, the one who makes people to unite each other. It is the one which gives us freedom to do what we want and to keep what we need.

By:  Leila Nur Aryanna G. Canacan

The Philippines is the only Christian-dominated country in Southeast Asia. This is an enough explanation as to why in most communities the Muslims are a minority, just like in the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Basing it on personal experiences, to meet a fellow Muslim in a class or in an organization is a rare opportunity. There is one organization though, which aims to hold together the Muslim youth in UP, the UP Muslim Students Association (UPMSA). Through the said organization, the members are able to convene as a body and discuss issues, both personal and social, concerning the Muslim youth.

It has actually been through the organization that I had the chance to meet and mingle with my fellow Muslims. Often times I am surrounded by Christian friends.

To be with them (Muslims) gave me a better assessment of the conditions of the Muslim youth in the university. As how I perceive it, the Muslims are of equal grounds with the Christians in UP. I have not heard of any rumors regarding individual discrimination. As we all know, because of the issues of terrorism in the West and in other countries as well, people automatically tag you as a terrorist once you introduce yourself as a Muslim. The case in UP, however, is different. To be a Muslim is nothing different from being a Christian. What I mean here is that you gain the same respect as they do. We are not belittled or branded as beheaders when we introduce ourselves.