Muslim community assures cooperation to city's peace efforts
The Office of the Muslim Affairs here assured their cooperation in whatever peace and order campaign plan of the city government and the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) following bombing incidents in Mindanao allegedly perpetrated by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Jemaah Islamiya.
Ibrahim Bansara, an official of the Office of the Muslim Affairs, said they will guard their community from any Muslim groups which are behind the series of bombings in the southern part of the country killing number of people.
“The Muslims who migrated here are 100 percent not in favor of the bombing incidents in Mindanao. Bombings could kill Muslim and Christians alike. Bombs could not distinguish whether the victims should only be Muslims or Christians. Everyone should take part in guarding the city,” Bansara said in an interview with RGMA radio.
Bansara said the Muslims are here purposely to do business and earn a living. “The people should not prejudge the presence of Muslims here that they have something to do with whatever crimes linked to Muslim extremists in Mindanao. We know our members. For sure, they will not do anything bad that would place the community in danger,” he said.
The Muslim community here is located in La Paz district. Most of them are engaged in barter trades, selling Muslim cloth, household items and jewelries. They have their Mosque where they can worship Allah. A Muslim teacher and a day care worker were hired by the city government to address the needs of the community. The Muslims have different cultures and beliefs, distinctive from the Christians.
Bansara said there should be a concerted effort from both the Muslims and Christians in preventing any untoward incidents linked to works of Muslim extremists.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas confirmed he met with the Muslim community and sought their help. They assured nothing will happen here since they (Muslims) are only here to do business. The Muslim community has been part of the Ilonggo community.
Though, there is no specific threat here, the city police will continue to implement preventive measures to free the city from any bombing incidents and other crimes that would affect the peace and order. Checkpoints and choke points will be conducted in the entry and exit points of the city particularly during nighttime.
The Catholic churches under the Archdiocese of Jaro are likewise put under police watch. The Catholic churches are not spared in the bombings in the southern part of the country.