On Eid al-Adha, senators pray for peace, displaced Marawi residents

MANILA, Philippines — Some senators on Monday prayed for peace, especially for the displaced residents in Marawi, as the country celebrates the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha or “Feast of Sacrifice.”

Opposition Senator Leila de Lima, in a statement, urged the Filipino public to continue praying for the speedy rehabilitation of the war-torn Islamic City of Marawi in Mindanao to improve the plight of displaced residents affected by the Marawi siege.

“Matagal na pong pinaguho ng karahasan ang kanilang mga pangarap, manaig naman po sana ngayon ang malasakit sa kapwa at matibay na pananampalataya upang muling mabuo ang kanilang pag-asa at makabangon tungo sa normal at marangal na pamumuhay,” she added.

Eid’l Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice and show his commitment to Allah by proving his willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. It also marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest city of Mecca.

The senator from Bicol said the solemnity of the holy occasion should remind the Filipino public of the value of “strong faith, respect, and compassion with fellow Filipinos in the pursuit of a better society that is inclusive for all.”

Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri meanwhile said this holiday is “very important” to him, having worked for nine years in the House of Representatives with fellow congressmen who are Muslim.

Zubiri stressed that Mindanao has been a “hotbed of terrorism and rebellion” because the “Manila-centric government has failed to end extreme poverty there and democratic institutions have not been supported well.”

The senator said he principally authored Republic Act No. 9849, which declared Eid al-Adha as a regular national holiday, as a “sign of unity with and religious tolerance for more than 5% of our population.”

“I also enjoin everyone to wish our Muslim Filipino brothers the best in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. We are all in this together for peace, harmony & progress for our Muslim brothers,” he added.

Senator Richard Gordon, for his part, said he has always advocated for good governance and opportunities for development in the Southern Philippines to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

“I am confident that with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and with proper support, Mindanao is already one step closer to achieving peace and progress,” Gordon added. /je