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Muslims must fight discrimination |
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Written by Samira Ali Gutoc
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Wednesday, 24 December 2003 |
In a labor survey of overseas foreign workers abroad, 5O % working in Muslim countries are Muslim. What does this mean? There are no jobs here (in the Philippines) and Muslims have to go abroad. This is according to Deputy Executive Director of the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) Adam Musa.
"Apparently there is discrimination against Muslims," he said, citing there to be few Muslims working in government. "If you have a veil, you are seen as dirty and illiterate." In a survey he cited, discrimination is "very much felt even by professionals." This is despite the provision in the 1996 GRP-MNLF peace agreement which provides for employing qualified Muslims. "It seems this provision is not well implemented."
A former evacuee transferring to Zamboanga City, Musa recalled his young days in a former MNLF stronghold province of Basilan "running from one barrio to another" due to rebel-military clashes. "Until now we have not settled at my place of birth.Howitzers fell, bombs fell. I was not a combatant but I have suffered the agony of war."
"By being in government doesn't mean I have surrendered, or that I cannot talk of injustices of people in government especially in the armed forces," Muse said. He questioned who were behind the Abu Sayyaf group? referring to the 150 "civilians" detained in Camp Bagong Diwa. "Bakit hindi matapos tapos? Sino ang yumayaman? Mga informer o assets." Informers are those persons usually Tausugs from the communities who act as "intermediaries" and expose suspected ASG members to the military.
He advised, "We should not stop fighting discrimination. Muslims in government must make their presence felt to make a difference and to fight for our rights," Muse said in his inspirational message at the closing rites of the YMPN General Assembly and certificate distribution at the National Youth Commission (NYC) conference room Sunday night.
He lamented the little budget appropriated for "madrasahs and building (of infrastructure)" and for Muslims in line agencies such as OMA, the office that "caters solely to Muslims." "86% of its 100 million budget is for Muslim employees. It looks like there is no effort rehabilitate Muslim communities. If there is, it is merely for services (ie salaries)."
He compared the large support given to the Pinatubo eruption when "money poured in" and the minimum support given to the bombing of Maguindanao's Buliok, where funds given were (merely) for "food and sardines." The February clashes in Buliok led to massive evacuations of civilians.
A former student leader and alumni of the Ship for Southeast Asian program, Musa exhorted the youth to "fight and strive to be an educated Moro that is at par with the Malaysians and with any Filipino." He cited Manila to be "historically ours." Urging Muslims to be "represented" in governance, he said "This is our land, this is also our place."
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