Vatican Message to Muslims for Ramadan
"Christians Are Spiritually Close to You During These Days"
Christians and Muslims:
Together in overcoming violence among followers of different religions
Dear Muslim Friends,
1. 'Id Al-Fitr, which concludes Ramadan, presents, once again, a favorable occasion to convey to you the heartfelt wishes of serenity and joy on behalf of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Throughout this month, you have committed yourselves to prayer, fasting, helping the neediest and strengthening relations of family and friendship. God will not fail to reward these efforts!
2. I am delighted to note that believers of other religions, especially Christians, are spiritually close to you during these days, as is testified by the various friendly meetings which often lead to exchanges of a religious nature. It is pleasing to me also to think that this Message could be a positive contribution to your reflections.
3. The theme proposed this year by the Pontifical Council, Christians and Muslims: Together in overcoming violence among followers of different religions, is, unfortunately, a pressing subject, at least in certain areas of the world. The Joint Committee for Dialogue instituted by the Pontifical Council and al-Azhar Permanent Committee for Dialogue among the Monotheistic Religions had also chosen this topic as a subject of study, reflection and exchange during its last annual meeting (Cairo, 23 - February 24, 2010). Permit me to share with you some of the conclusions published at the end of this meeting.
4. There are many causes for violence among believers of different religious traditions, including: the manipulation of the religion for political or other ends; discrimination based on ethnicity or religious identity; divisions and social tensions. Ignorance, poverty, underdevelopment are also direct or indirect sources of violence among as well as within religious communities. May the civil and religious authorities offer their contributions in order to remedy so many situations for the sake of the common good of all society! May the civil authorities safeguard the primacy of the law by ensuring true justice to put a stop to the authors and promoters of violence!
5. There are important recommendations also given in the above mentioned text: to open our hearts to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation, for a peaceful and fruitful coexistence; to recognize what we have in common and to respect differences, as a basis for a culture of dialogue; to recognize and respect the dignity and the rights of each human being without any bias related to ethnicity or religious affiliation; necessity to promulgate just laws which guarantee the fundamental equality of all; to recall the importance of education towards respect, dialogue and fraternity in the various educational arenas: at home, in the school, in churches and mosques. Thus we will be able to oppose violence among followers of different religions and promote peace and harmony among the various religious communities. Teaching by religious leaders, as well as school books which present religions in an objective way, have, along with teaching in general, a decisive impact on the education and the formation of younger generations.
6. I hope that these considerations, as well as the responses which they elicit within your communities, and with your Christian friends, will contribute to the continuation of a dialogue, growing in respect and serenity, upon which I call the blessings of God!
Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
President
Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata
Secretary
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Opening statement of Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, during the MILF-FOCAP Forum on the Peace Process
(Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on August 9. 2010)
Mr. Alastair McIndoe, President of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines
My Colleagues in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Mr. Manny Mogato and other members of the FOCAP
Members of other media organizations, who are here with us this morning
Ladies and Gentlemen
GOOD MORNING!
It is good to say the GRP-MILF Peace Process has gone a long way, to be quite precise, more than 13 years since 1997, in a bid to solve the age-old Moro Question and armed conflict in Mindanao. We have already signed with the government 87 or so documents of various nature and importance. And the Parties have also initialed one landmark document, the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), with their commitment to “reframe the consensus points with the end in view of moving towards the comprehensive compact to bring about a negotiated political settlement.”
Another good thing to tell you is that only one substantive agenda of the peace talks is remaining: the comprehensive compact. We have tried to deal with this agenda last January 27, 2010 when we exchanged drafts on the comprehensive compact but we failed, because the Parties’ respective positions were heaven-and-earth apart. In our draft, the main thrust is for the establishment of a state-and-substate arrangement of governance in the future Bangsamoro state, while the government’s repeated its offer to the MILF in 2000 and 2003 for an enhanced autonomy for the Moros, which is nothing but molded in the template of the present bogus Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
For the MILF, the only way in the peace process is forward in order to complete the peace talks where we left off last June 3, this year. But for the government, it seems they are still trying to catch up with their breath on which way to go. Hints are piling up that they want to start the talks from scratch, wants to localize the talks, and to replace the facilitator of the talks. If true, these are serious propositions that can delay or even imperil the peace talks.
At present, the ground situation is still alright. No major violations of the ceasefire have been reported. Thanks to the return of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the other mechanisms of the peace process and ceasefire, such as the International Contact Group (ICG) and the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT. In addition, the participation of the European Union (EU) as coordinator of the Humanitarian, Relief and Development (HRD) component of the IMT and Norway’s joining the security component of the IMT contributed a lot to the legitimacy and stability of the ceasefire and the peace process. Moreover, the continuing and deepening involvement of Japan to the peace process especially their roles in the International Contact Group (ICG) and the IMT further entrenched the firmness on the ground. Also Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provides technical and other forms of aid promoting economic and social development in the conflict affected areas (CAAs) in Mindanao.
But while this normalcy is the most desirable situation, it is expected to change dramatically once the peace talks continue to hang in the balance. And surely that threatening and provocative statement of AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Davide Jr. that the government will crush the New People’s Army and the MILF by 2013 is causing jittery to an already uncertain future.
What to expect of the peace process under President Noynoy Aquino is very much in the realm of speculation. Available data are still very few and loose for one to be able to draw a correct conclusion. Appointing Teresita “Deng” Deles, as secretary of the OPAPP, and Atty, Marvic Leonen, Senen Bacani, and Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, as the new government peace negotiators, is not a sure barometer on what really is in store for the peace process. These are aggravated by such misleading terminology “Situwasyon Sa Mindanaw”, and even more by pinning the hope to solve the problem when “Moro, Lumad, and Christians are talking to each other.
The greatest challenge to the peace process is whether this time the President has the political will to surmount all obstacles and oppositions including well-entrenched spoilers once the peace talks starts or when an agreement will be signed. Running parallel is whether the peace process is truly a problem-solving endeavor or just an exercise to manage the conflict, as what previous presidents, deliberately or otherwise, did.
We wish to tell you also that whether in negotiation or in the normal course of our Islamic revolutionary struggle, the political aspirations of our people remain the same and constant; i.e., we want genuine governance for our people. We want our people to decide for themselves.
Finally it is our firm hope that the Moro Question and armed conflict in Mindanao will be settled now or in our lifetime; otherwise, this struggle of our people for freedom and right to self-determination will drag on for generation after generation. To ensure this, we are preparing the young generations today to carry on the great task of liberating our people from the yoke of oppression and thralldom.
Thank you and again good morning!
Mr. Alastair McIndoe, President of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines
My Colleagues in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Mr. Manny Mogato and other members of the FOCAP
Members of other media organizations, who are here with us this morning
Ladies and Gentlemen
GOOD MORNING!
It is good to say the GRP-MILF Peace Process has gone a long way, to be quite precise, more than 13 years since 1997, in a bid to solve the age-old Moro Question and armed conflict in Mindanao. We have already signed with the government 87 or so documents of various nature and importance. And the Parties have also initialed one landmark document, the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), with their commitment to “reframe the consensus points with the end in view of moving towards the comprehensive compact to bring about a negotiated political settlement.”
Another good thing to tell you is that only one substantive agenda of the peace talks is remaining: the comprehensive compact. We have tried to deal with this agenda last January 27, 2010 when we exchanged drafts on the comprehensive compact but we failed, because the Parties’ respective positions were heaven-and-earth apart. In our draft, the main thrust is for the establishment of a state-and-substate arrangement of governance in the future Bangsamoro state, while the government’s repeated its offer to the MILF in 2000 and 2003 for an enhanced autonomy for the Moros, which is nothing but molded in the template of the present bogus Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
For the MILF, the only way in the peace process is forward in order to complete the peace talks where we left off last June 3, this year. But for the government, it seems they are still trying to catch up with their breath on which way to go. Hints are piling up that they want to start the talks from scratch, wants to localize the talks, and to replace the facilitator of the talks. If true, these are serious propositions that can delay or even imperil the peace talks.
At present, the ground situation is still alright. No major violations of the ceasefire have been reported. Thanks to the return of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the other mechanisms of the peace process and ceasefire, such as the International Contact Group (ICG) and the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT. In addition, the participation of the European Union (EU) as coordinator of the Humanitarian, Relief and Development (HRD) component of the IMT and Norway’s joining the security component of the IMT contributed a lot to the legitimacy and stability of the ceasefire and the peace process. Moreover, the continuing and deepening involvement of Japan to the peace process especially their roles in the International Contact Group (ICG) and the IMT further entrenched the firmness on the ground. Also Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provides technical and other forms of aid promoting economic and social development in the conflict affected areas (CAAs) in Mindanao.
But while this normalcy is the most desirable situation, it is expected to change dramatically once the peace talks continue to hang in the balance. And surely that threatening and provocative statement of AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Davide Jr. that the government will crush the New People’s Army and the MILF by 2013 is causing jittery to an already uncertain future.
What to expect of the peace process under President Noynoy Aquino is very much in the realm of speculation. Available data are still very few and loose for one to be able to draw a correct conclusion. Appointing Teresita “Deng” Deles, as secretary of the OPAPP, and Atty, Marvic Leonen, Senen Bacani, and Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, as the new government peace negotiators, is not a sure barometer on what really is in store for the peace process. These are aggravated by such misleading terminology “Situwasyon Sa Mindanaw”, and even more by pinning the hope to solve the problem when “Moro, Lumad, and Christians are talking to each other.
The greatest challenge to the peace process is whether this time the President has the political will to surmount all obstacles and oppositions including well-entrenched spoilers once the peace talks starts or when an agreement will be signed. Running parallel is whether the peace process is truly a problem-solving endeavor or just an exercise to manage the conflict, as what previous presidents, deliberately or otherwise, did.
We wish to tell you also that whether in negotiation or in the normal course of our Islamic revolutionary struggle, the political aspirations of our people remain the same and constant; i.e., we want genuine governance for our people. We want our people to decide for themselves.
Finally it is our firm hope that the Moro Question and armed conflict in Mindanao will be settled now or in our lifetime; otherwise, this struggle of our people for freedom and right to self-determination will drag on for generation after generation. To ensure this, we are preparing the young generations today to carry on the great task of liberating our people from the yoke of oppression and thralldom.
Thank you and again good morning!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE PEACE PROCESS
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CBCS STATEMENT RE ZAMBO AIRPORT BOMBING
A CALL FOR SOBRIETY AND PERSISTENCE IN ATTAINING A JUST AND LASTING PEACE
The gains of the continuous and painstaking journey for peace in Mindanao undertaken by many groups including the Civil Society both Moro and Non Moro, Government, Religious and International actors is now threatened by despicable acts of senseless violence against innocent people who have not exploited anybody in this society.
The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a solidarity network of Bangsamoro NGOs and POs and other civil society organizations in Mindanao vehemently condemn in its highest form the recent bombing incident in Zamboanga City Airport on August 5, 2010 that left 3 dead and 24 others wounded. Such action constitutes a heinous crime that is not tolerable, and even condemnable, under a democratic and civilized society.
As staunch peace advocates that are collectively committed to a more sustained advocacy for Peace, Human Rights, Good Governance and Development, the CBCS strongly renounce violence of any form to realize its advocacy goals. From its inception in 2002, the CBCS grew a network of more than a hundred member-organizations all over Mindanao despite persistent challenges. The CBCS cultivated the philosophy of cooperation, collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders in facing the challenge of creating a peaceful and just society.
The CBCS operates in a highly professional manner in pursuit of its ideological, political and organizational undertakings. It has eight (8) regional formations all over Mindanao called the Regional Management Committee (RMC) composed of local member organizations that elects among themselves a set of officers. These RMCs are collectively managed by the Council of Leaders (CoL) composed of leaders of network members elected by their respective regions.
While we urge the government particularly the Philippine National Police to conduct an impartial investigation to identify the real perpetrator of such crime and let the rule of law govern to mete justice for the victims, we also caution the law enforcers to take into consideration the observance of human rights in carrying out their tasks.
Finally we ask all individuals and organizations both at the local and international level especially the peace advocates and human rights defenders to make tighter their ropes of perseverance in confronting the challenges of attaining a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
Adopted and signed in Pagadian City this 7th day of August 2010.
The CBCS
SAMMY P. MAULANA [Secretary-General] 0918-3881760
---
The regional formations of CBCS are: KUTAWATO REGION (Provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and the Cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan and Tacurong), RANAW REGION (Provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte and Cities of Marawi, Iligan and part of Cagayan de Oro City), DABAW REGION ( Provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and the Cities of Davao and Digos), SIBUGAY REGION ( Provinces of ZAMBOANGA DEL Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Sibugay and the Cities of Pagadian, Ipil and Dipolog), SAMBOANGAN REGION (Zamboanga City) BASILAN REGION (Province of Basilan and Isabela City) SULU REGION (Province of Sulu), TAWI-TAWI REGION (Province of Tawi-Tawi) and RAJAH BUAYAN REGION (Provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangan, Sultan Kudarat and the Cities of Koronadal and General Santos).
The gains of the continuous and painstaking journey for peace in Mindanao undertaken by many groups including the Civil Society both Moro and Non Moro, Government, Religious and International actors is now threatened by despicable acts of senseless violence against innocent people who have not exploited anybody in this society.
The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a solidarity network of Bangsamoro NGOs and POs and other civil society organizations in Mindanao vehemently condemn in its highest form the recent bombing incident in Zamboanga City Airport on August 5, 2010 that left 3 dead and 24 others wounded. Such action constitutes a heinous crime that is not tolerable, and even condemnable, under a democratic and civilized society.
As staunch peace advocates that are collectively committed to a more sustained advocacy for Peace, Human Rights, Good Governance and Development, the CBCS strongly renounce violence of any form to realize its advocacy goals. From its inception in 2002, the CBCS grew a network of more than a hundred member-organizations all over Mindanao despite persistent challenges. The CBCS cultivated the philosophy of cooperation, collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders in facing the challenge of creating a peaceful and just society.
The CBCS operates in a highly professional manner in pursuit of its ideological, political and organizational undertakings. It has eight (8) regional formations all over Mindanao called the Regional Management Committee (RMC) composed of local member organizations that elects among themselves a set of officers. These RMCs are collectively managed by the Council of Leaders (CoL) composed of leaders of network members elected by their respective regions.
While we urge the government particularly the Philippine National Police to conduct an impartial investigation to identify the real perpetrator of such crime and let the rule of law govern to mete justice for the victims, we also caution the law enforcers to take into consideration the observance of human rights in carrying out their tasks.
Finally we ask all individuals and organizations both at the local and international level especially the peace advocates and human rights defenders to make tighter their ropes of perseverance in confronting the challenges of attaining a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
Adopted and signed in Pagadian City this 7th day of August 2010.
The CBCS
SAMMY P. MAULANA [Secretary-General] 0918-3881760
---
The regional formations of CBCS are: KUTAWATO REGION (Provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and the Cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan and Tacurong), RANAW REGION (Provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte and Cities of Marawi, Iligan and part of Cagayan de Oro City), DABAW REGION ( Provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and the Cities of Davao and Digos), SIBUGAY REGION ( Provinces of ZAMBOANGA DEL Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Sibugay and the Cities of Pagadian, Ipil and Dipolog), SAMBOANGAN REGION (Zamboanga City) BASILAN REGION (Province of Basilan and Isabela City) SULU REGION (Province of Sulu), TAWI-TAWI REGION (Province of Tawi-Tawi) and RAJAH BUAYAN REGION (Provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangan, Sultan Kudarat and the Cities of Koronadal and General Santos).
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