Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) and the Christian religious leader join forces to halt violent extremism across BARMM during the Mindanao Ulama-Bishop Dialogue Meeting and Joint Statement on Jan. 18, 2024. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Religious sectors from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) and Christian representatives, gathered on January 17, expressing solidarity to end violent extremism in pursuit of lasting peace.
This transpired during the Mindanao Ulama-Bishop Dialogue Meeting and Joint Statement at Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) in this city, commemorating the 10th anniversary of January 24 Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Peace Day.
The HWPL is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that performs and leads peace activities across the globe to achieve world peace.
Dr. Muhammad Nadzir Ebil, BDI Islamic Jurist, recalled that the Dec. 3 bombing incident last year at Dimaporo Gymnasium, Mindanao State University-Marawi (MSU) was a heinous sacrilegious act that contradicted both Muslim and Christian beliefs.
“Ipinapakita natin na ang nangyaring insidente ay walang puwang hindi lamang sa relihiyon ng mga Muslim at Christian kundi pati na rin sa ibang mga organisasyon,” Ebil said.
[We show that this incident has no place not only in the religion of Muslims and Christians but also in other organizations.]
He further stated that all religions are unified in protecting religion, life, property, mind, and dignity.
Moreover, Most Reverend Edwin Dela Peña, Prelate of Marawi, stressed that the positive undertaking with the Bangsamoro Islamic leaders contributes to an optimistic future for the Christian community on moving forward.
“Now, the people in my area who have experienced so much trauma and pain can now rejoice over the fact that the religious leaders of the Bangsamoro Government are one with us,” Most Rev. Dela Peña emphasized.
He continued, “We can go home with a lot of enthusiasm because I have something to bring home.”
Both parties then reaffirmed their commitment to serve as active key players in making peace long-lasting, educating the locals about living in harmony, and stopping any form of violence existing in the Bangsamoro region.
Sustaining and improving peace, justice, and security across the BARMM is the 11th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
