ZAMBOANGA CRISIS: Ulama Initiatives, The Untold Story.
By Prof. Alzad T. Sattar, Undersecretary for Madrasah Education, DepEd - ARMM
Ulama are generally not in touch with internet and media, thus I found it my obligation to write on the pro-active response of ulama on the crisis even without their being invited to intervene.
When the Zamboanga Crisis started on September 9, 2013, the religious groups particularly the Darul Ifta of Zamboanga City and Darul Ifta – ARMM with some Muslim elders immediately convened the following day (Day 2 of the Crisis) at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City. The main agenda was how they can help the City Government on peacefully resolving the conflict. The ulama agreed to offer themselves as “negotiator” provided the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) Zamboanga City authorize them to do so thru a letter of request. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, the offer was turned down.
As religious leaders, they know for a fact that it is also their obligation to give assistance to their fellow human being regardless of who the victims are. In partnership with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the said ulama groups undertook a humanitarian initiative, e.g. giving relief goods to the victims and offering spiritual guidance and counseling. Yesterday for instance, Darul Ifta – ARMM joined the ARMM HEART in distributing the relief goods to the so-called “home-based evacuees” at Mampang and Talon-Talon Barangays. These are the people who opted to stay at their relatives’ home rather than evacuation centers.
Upon seeing the conditions of the evacuees, I couldn’t help but feel lonely and said to myself: The need for conflict resolution and sustainable peace and development is more imminent than ever. This is the reason why the ulama called for peaceful resolution of the crisis ever since. Because they believe that everything can be done through peaceful means like dialogue. I recalled when we (religious leaders from Basilan) were waiting for the boat to bring us to Zamboanga for the above mentioned meeting of the ulama on Tuesday morning of September 10 at the visitor’s hall of 104th Brigade in Tabiawan, Basilan - an officer served us lansones. I thanked him and said: This lansones looks good and sweet, I guess. This is from ‘Bakisung’ and was given to us by Hadji Dan, he responded.
Bakisung is a name of a community in Al-Barka municipality in Basilan known for its sweetness. Hadji Dan is also a known MILF Commander based in that community. I was surprised and jokingly said in Tagalog “Buti po lansones ang pinadala sa inyo hindi bala.” (It’s good he sent you lansones instead of bullets). The good Captain smiled and replied, “Hindi naman” (Not really). Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, the Chairman of the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council (BUSC), who is also a member of the Ad-Hoc Committee of Darul Ifta – ARMM exclaimed: “This is the result of Dialogue!” Exactly! That’s true. If not because of dialogue the Framework Agreement for Bangsamoro (FAB) would have not been reached. Therefore, dialogue should always be the first option in settling conflict to avoid collateral damage.
Before leaving Zamboanga City in the afternoon of Day 2, the Darul Ifta members from Basilan convened among themselves and planned out what to do on the rumors that Lamitan City, Isabela City, and Maluso municipality in Basilan will be attacked by the MNLF members in Basilan. Upon arrival, they immediately met with CMC Basilan headed by Gov. Jum Akbar of Basilan. CMC Basilan confirmed the report but most likely, the main target was Lamitan City. Unknown to many, some members of Darul Ifta – ARMM did their best to halt the attack in their own little way. Presumably, the effort was a contributing factor to another Lamitan Siege. Although, 2 days later, if my memory serves me right, an attack was made in the outskirt of Lamitan City and allegedly by the Abu Sayyaf members and has no connection with the Zamboanga Siege.
