Muslim leaders meet to prepare Ramadan 2015

• Source: http://zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/15103-muslim-leaders-meet-to-prepare-ramadan-2015.html
• Wednesday, June 3, 2015 8:43

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

Preparations are underway for the coming Holy Month of Ramadan 2015 (1436 A.H).

A group of local Muslim professional leaders met on May 27 to tackled issues concerning Islam’s holiest month.

The meeting was presided by Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj., president, Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates

In solidarity with the Muslim communities in Zambooanga City, participation of schools through their Muslim student associationa, the strong participation of the media to give accurate information about the Fasting of Ramadan with the writings of some members of the Ulama, Muslim Prefessionals knowledgeable about the Islamic faith and the community through the barangay heads (both Muslim & Christians) by organizing a symposium with speakers as resource persons, requesting Mayor Beng Climaco for the convening of the Interfaith Council, the Etiquette/Protocol in offering (Iftar (Mag-Bukah)), the proper greetings to Muslims while in the observance of the fasting season as well as the serious implications of the preference to the singing of the National Anthem to the primacy of God through the invocation in all public schools in the city, Prof. Yacub said.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) which was tasked by law to look after the welfare of Muslims in the country was requested to act in behalf of the Muslim leaders in dealing with the city government and concerned agencies and national officials in Manila.

Yacub suggested to non-Muslims offering “Iftar” in the month of Ramadan to observe strict etiquette by Muslims while they partake the meal of Iftar.

He said he has observed in past years that “Iftar” offered by non-Muslims was done in a manner like a “food festival” where the crowd jostled to get the food at the time of the “sacred moment”.

“This is not “Iftar,” Yacub said in exasperation.

He said if the solemnity and the sanctity of the “moment of Iftar”, is impossible to be observed then, the sponsor may not call it any how “Iftar”, but “solidarity dinner in the Holy Month of Ramadan”. This will not offend the Muslims when the crowd may not be able to observe the dignity of the occasion.

Definitely, Prof. Yacub said, “Iftar” is a moment of prayer because according to the Ulama, God’s angels descend at the precise moment of Iftar to bestow God’s blessing upon the faithful, thus, this is one of the reasons, “Iftar” can never be a “food festival”.

GCCPBA Media Group noted the attendance of Muslim leaders in the initial meeting like Dr. Salihmatal Lagbas, VP, External Affairs of the Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates, Datu Hussayin Arpa, president, Phil. Council of Sama and Bajaus, Habib Kiram H. Kamaluddin, Sec. General, Phil. Council of Sama and Bajaus, Eng. Ali (Al) Urao, Member, Council of Elders of Federation of MSA, Mrs. Aurora A, Mabaug, NCMF, representing NCMF Regional Director and Mr. Al Alhabsi, representing the media in Zamboanga City.