By Rey Anthony Chiu | 05:52 PM September 14, 2024
The Boholano Muslim Community is now on the thick of preparations for a big event and possibly the first social gathering of Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, Tausugs of Sulu and Basilan and Maguindanaos of Cotabato tribes in Bohol, to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Bohol Muslim Community Peace Movement (BMCPM), October 21.
BMCPM president Taha Malabi, bared this at the recent Kapihan sa PIA.
“BMCPM, unlike other muslim organizations, has remained and continues to grow stronger, itself partnering with the local authorities to be active in the local efforts to maintain peace and order and in erasing the misconception that muslims are terrorists,” Malabi said.
Organized after the April 2018 incursion of the Abu Sayyaf extremists in Inabanga, BMCPM has since gathered muslim community leaders who themselves opted to stay and live peacefully in Bohol and away from the troubles in Mindanao, according to Police Lieutenant Dunhill Sarmiento, of the local police intelligence unit.
Since then, the group has been actively participating in the campaign, especially in sustaining the gains of Bohol as insurgency free province, admits Bohol peace and order council focal person for ending local communist armed conflict, Romeo Teruel.
And since the contribution of a unified Muslim Community in Bohol has been written in the background in the last 5 years, this year promises to be a first.
“On the October 21 6th anniversary of the BMCPM, it would be the first time in Bohol for the tribes to showcase the Muslim culture, where each tribe brings the best of its Halal food, products, dances, songs and the reflection of traditions that mold the muslim culture,” Malabi shared, unable to hold the excitement.
“Maningkamot ‘mi nga anaay makapresentar og cultural dances, Muslim songs, and the best showcase sa among pagkaon, he pointed out.
“Chicken in coconut milk, spicy laksa, beef rendang, tinowa itum, come to taste our food, just don’t eat ahead so you will find our food delicious and you can have more,” the Maranao tribal leader called for Boholanos to join them at the Bohol Cultural Center.
Already numbering a little over 6, 000 in Bohol including those without any community yet, the Muslims in Bohol have started putting up a census, based at the Office of Muslim Affairs; a new office attached at the Office of Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado.
“It was among the promises of governor Aumentado to support the local community, that the Provincial Government is now putting them in the mainstream,” remarked Teruel during the radio forum streamed liver over dyTR and PIA- Bohol facebook and Youtube channels.
After the showcase of culture, Malabi said their next step is to put up a Muslim restaurant featuring halal food, which also opens up livelihood opportunities for Muslims into livestock raising for the restaurant’s sustainable supply of food.
Halal is a dietary law derived from Islamic teachings, and means “lawful or permitted.”
Halal is not just about dietary restrictions, it is also about treatment of animals, specifically with how they are slaughtered and prepared for food, otherwise the food that comes out is haram, or not permitted.
Halal food must be prepared with minimal suffering to the animal and the pronouncement of God’s name during the slaughter, as the animal is being sacrificed to Him.
By establishing a halal restaurant in Bohol, the Muslim Community is looking at the wide market niche of Muslim tourists, who will finally be sustained by a Muslim certified food while in Bohol.
Being a SEC registered group, Sanggunang Panlalawigan accreditation for Non-Government Organization and an accredited civil society group under the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, BMCPM can tie up with government to access funds for their plans. (RAHC/PIABohol)
