Muslim refugees in Zamboanga observe Christmas with hope

Residents living along the coast near the area of a stand-off between the Philippine military and Muslim gunmen take shelter at a sports complex used as a temporary evacuation center in Zamboanga on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on September 11, 2013. Muslim militants were using 180 residents as “human shields” on September 10, Philippine officials said, as they traded gunfire with troops amid burning houses during a standoff after a deadly attack on a southern city. AFP/ TED ALJIBE

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Despite the trauma, hardship and uncertainties, most of those who stay in the congested evacuation center at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex here still look forward to a joyous Christmas.

“We are Tausugs but we celebrate Christmas every year,” Radzma Abubakar, 40, said.

Abubakar is among the refugees from the fighting between the Philippine military and Moro National Liberation Front fighters that erupted last September 9 when MNLF fighters led by Habier Malik and believed to be loyal followers of founder Nur Misuari attacked the city and attempted to take over government offices.  Government forces won the battle, effectively flushing out MNLF troops weeks later.  Malik has been missing since and some military officials believe he is dead.

However, as a result of the conflict, many homes were burned to the ground during the fighting, prompting dozens of families to seek refuge in evacuation centers in the city. They are still waiting for government assistance to rebuild their homes or resettle elsewhere somewhere in the city.

“Since I was born, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the birth of my mother,” Radzma said.  Her mother, Adelina Samonteraryo, will turn 78 on Christmas day, Wednesday.

“Every year we decorate our own house. We prepare special food and we offer that to our mother,” she added.  Adelina’s father is a Christian, but Radzma was brought up a Muslim.

“We were raised as Muslims, but we respect my father’s beliefs as a Christian,” she said.  She said their mother taught all her 13 children that Christmas was not about gift-giving, but about the family being together.

“What’s important is that we are healthy,” she said. Radzma said her mother has been looking forward to eating buco (coconut) salad.

“I had a cake made. My other siblings brought pancit and chicken,” she said.

Julie Sarapuddin and his wife Anelda, who have also been living in the evacuation center since October, said they got a sack of rice as payment for Anelda’s sweeping roads and clearing drainage in the village of Tugbungan.

Originally from the village of Mariki, the Sarapuddins were benefiaries of the World Food Programme’s food-for-work project. They remember in past Christmases when their house was filled with decorations.

“Now, we hang clothes,” Anelda said as she pointed to the clothes’ line outside her tent.

Although Tausugs, the Sarapuddins started celebrating Christmas for their grandchildren, who learned about it in school. Last year, the family had spaghetti and fried chicken, and gift-giving.

This time, however, they would celebrate Christmas with “togetherness and being strong,” Julie said.

“There will be no food because we can’t afford it right now. What’s important is that the family is together. We should be strong because we might stay longer in the evacuation center,” Julie added.

Julie said the one sack of rice would be divided among his four children.

Sherinata Sariul, another evacuee, said the best gift she and her seven children would receive for Christmas would be the opportunity to move to a government-constructed bunkhouse.

Sherinata, a Samah Bangingi, teaches the children in the evacuation camp, getting P150 a day. She plans to buy toys and clothes for her seven children.

“I’m already happy with what we have here,” she said.

Like the Sarapuddins, Sherinata said her children learned about Christmas in school.

At night in the evacuation center, Badjaos go from one tent to another, singing their version of Christmas carols.

“Even if you give them one peso, they’re already happy. Some even dance for joy,” Sherinata said.

Sherinata said good health and a new home for her family have been her wishes.

“I hope President Aquino’s promise of housing units would come true. For us, that would be the best Christmas gift,” she said.

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