ZAMBOANGA CRISIS: What Must Be Done? (Part IV) What Muslims and non-Muslims must do now? We may have different approaches as we belong to different field of specializations. But, I guess, everyone agrees if I say, we must do something as opposed to doing nothing. We do not want evil triumphs over goodness because we are all affected. Edmund Burke once said: “The only way for the evil to triumph is for the good people to do nothing.” And if I may to quote the saying of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, he said: “The one who kept silent for the truth is like a dump-mute satan.” Nonetheless, we should not go beyond with the “principle of moderation” as mention earlier. We should not resort to violence for violence begets nothing but violence. Let us be proactive rather than reactive. In Sahih al-Bukhari, we will find the wonderful advice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, when he once said: “The religion is easy. No one ever made it difficult without it becoming too much for him. So avoid extremes and strike a balance, do the best you can and be cheerful, and seek Allah’s help (through prayer) in the morning, and evening, and part of the night.” Furthermore, in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih al-Muslim, the beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Make things easy (for people) and do not make them difficult, and cheer people up and do not drive them away. Ahmad reported, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also said: “The best of your religion is the easiest.” Hence, let us put things in a proper perspective, after all, Allah wanted us to be such when He says in Surah al-Baqarah 2:185: "Allah intends for you ease, and does not want to make things difficult for you." Moreover, a well-known story has been mentioned in hadith literature which is also found in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih al-Muslim such as the following: A disbelieving Bedouin urinated in the mosque, and the people rushed to beat him. Allah’s Apostle ordered them to leave him alone, let him finish and pour water over the place where he has passed urine. The Prophet then explained to the Bedouin calmly, “This is a place of worship, in it, is the worship of God and the reading of Qur’an.” After the Bedouin had left, the Prophet then said to his companions,” You have been sent to make things easy (for the people) and you have not been sent to make things difficult for them.” It was said, the Bedouin embraced Islam some time later due to the gentle actuation shown by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. To the Zamboagenos especially the Chavacanos, if you love Zamboanga City as you claimed, remember also, other Zamboangenos love Zamboanga City, too. No one tribe has the monopoly of Zamboanga City. Because other tribes who are also a legitimate residents of Zamboanga City have rights, too. Zamboanga is not inherently own by anybody, for if so, the moro especially the Sama has more rights over you. Let us go away from bigotry, for bigotry begets nothing but bigotry. Inquisition should not be repeated anymore like what happen in al - Andalus many years before it became a Spain. To the two opposing parties, you should learn from history. War is NOT and NEVER be a SOLUTION to the conflict in Mindanao. History has proven it true. ‘Annihilation Theory’ does not and never work anywhere and everywhere. Civilian interests must be given weight over political interest. The will of the people must be supreme over the will of the politicians. The Latin Maxim, ‘Vox populi, vox Dei’ where public opinion and the voice of the people is supposed to be irresistible, cannot be categorically ignored and should come first before the political and vested interested. At any rate, those involved in conflict should face the consequences of their deeds from both sides. Fairness and justice should be true to all regardless of who they are. The principle of “No one is above the law” must be true to all and must be upheld after due process of law. Thus, let us be adamant and vigilant but it should be coupled with adroit and courteousness. If there is one most important thing to be considered in the “Reconstruction and Rebuilding” of Zamboanga City is the Psycho-Social aspect. Infrastructure such as houses and the economy are undoubtedly vital. But the greatest challenge in my humble opinion is how to regain the trust and confidence between and among the Muslims and non-Muslims in the city. The work of interfaith and other peace organizations such as Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM), Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ), Consortium of Bangsamoro Cicil Society (CBCS), et cetera that have been gaining ground from the grassroots for decades now are back to zero. I hope the rumors that lingers around that the notorious “Ilaga Movement” is going to be reactivated, albeit in another name, is not true. If it is so, history repeats itself. May God, the Almighty forbid! To all ‘PEACE ADVOCATES’, I personally call upon you, in the name of God, the Almighty and for the sake of humanity, let us continue and do, not just try, our best and join together in combatting evil so that we will live peacefully and harmoniously regardless of faith, race, and tribe. After all, the final judgment will be on the Day Hereafter. Allah, the Almighty Himself will be the one to give judgment as to who is really right and who is wrong. The parable and similitude of the people in the community or society is like a group of individuals who are traveling in a boat to a certain destination. Whatever happens to that boat everybody suffers the consequences, regardless of who they are. The religious groups, both from Muslims and non-Muslims alike can play a dynamic role in the reconstruction period of Zamboanga City. So I call upon the City Government of Zamboanga to make the religious groups and the elders in the community together with the civil societies, as its PARTNERS, not just supporting actors, in pursuing sustainable peace, progress, and development of the city.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 04:46:12 +0000
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