International Islamic humanitarian organizations can now send assistance to Muslim communities without being suspected of helping anti-government groups with the signing of a pact between the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
OMA Executive Director Datu Ali B. Sangki cited the significance and urgency of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) which he forged with Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. in securing assistance for victims of natural and man-made calamities befalling Muslim communities, including floods, typhoons, and war, especially the hundreds of thousands of evacuees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) because of the Mindanao conflict.
The OMA official assured that with OMA as partner, Islamic humanitarian agencies need not fear being linked with anti-government elements.
“With the agreement which OMA signed with NDCC chaired by Secretary Teodoro, international Islamic charity organizations such as the Red Crescent, IIRO (International Islamic Relief Organization) and other relief agencies from the Muslim world can help the victims of the civil strife in Mindanao without suspicion of giving aid to elements fighting the government by making OMA a conduit with DND-NDCC,” said Sangki.
IIRO is the relief arm of Saudi Arabia’s Rabitatul Alam Al-Islamie (Muslim World League). IIRO’s Philippine branch was closed in 2006 after it was linked by the United States to groups fighting the government.
Presently, Islamic relief agencies with operations in the Philippines are Libya-based Gathafi International Foundation for Charity Associations (GIFCA) chaired by Saiful Islam and the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) headed by Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Sharief.
"IDPs will now be attended by the Rabitah and WICS and other international relief agencies through OMA as conduit," said Sangki.
With the closure of Rabitah and IIRO, Some Muslim leaders said Libya and Iran have overtaken Saudi Arabia in responding to concerns, either religious or material, of Muslim Filipinos.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/220602/pact-allows-int-l-groups-help-muslims-rp
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