12/27/2005, 00.00
PHILIPPINES
Send to a friend

Mindanao Muslims celebrate Christmas too

by Santosh Digal

Muslim leaders in the region, which has seen violent inter-religious clashes, have urged collaboration and tolerance, the only path to development and peace.

Manila (AsiaNews) – Muslim leaders of Mindanao in the south of the Philippines celebrated Christmas together with the Christian community and invited followers of all religions to collaborate in the peace and development of the region.

Contrary to what happened in the past, leaders of Islamic communities showed a great interest in celebrations throughout the entire Christmas season and they expressed their solidarity with Christians in many ways. Mindanao is a Muslim-majority region which has seen violent inter-faith clashes over the last 33 years.

Ibrahim Paglas, one leader in the region, gave his Christian friends CDs with Christmas songs; he feels "all Muslims should join Christians in celebrating Christmas".

Datu Angdal Ampatuan, religious and political leader, and Muslimin Sena, Catabato City mayor, last week published Christmas greetings in the "Mindanao Cross", a weekly newspaper. They said "peace and sustainable development in the area could be achieved easily through religious solidarity among communities".

Sena added: "Islam teaches respect for other religions, there is nothing wrong with celebrating together."

Samery Uy, a Muslim and mayor of Datu Piang (city in Mindanao's second district), said: "Religions should not set barriers among peoples. In the town, Muslim and Christians have long been celebrating Christmas together. Our Christian neighbours put food on tables along the streets to eat together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Muslims respect Jesus Christ, who is Nabi Isah in Islam, one of the prophets mentioned in the Koran."

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29
Growing unemployment in the Philippines, also due to corruption and waste
04/01/2010
Christian and Muslim children celebrate Eid and Christmas together
14/01/2006
We are working to build peace, says Pikit parish priest
23/11/2004
Christians and Muslims working together for peace in Mindanao
04/01/2007


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”