Religious leaders concerned over Abu Sayyaf kidnappings

From the Zamboanga Today (Oct 18): Religious leaders concerned over Abu Sayyaf kidnappings

Religious leaders in Zamboanga city are strongly disturbed about kidnapping incidents perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu amid threats by the latter to decapitate their victims.

The religious leaders gathered at a local hotel yesterday afternoon to appeal to the Abu Sayyaf to release their German captives in line with Islamic tenets of peace and love for humanity.

The leaders belong to the Zamboanga Ulama Council and the Indigenous People Council of Zamboanga.

In a statement, Ustadz Almahdi Baguinda of the Zamboanga Ulama Council issued the following statement:

“For the good of all in order to solve our problems today, we are appealing to the holder of the two Germans, in the name of humanity to release them and not to harm them because harm is prohibited in Islam.

If there is any problem it is better we will bring to the table or to give chance especially to persons with his family and whatever the problem we must solve peacefully.”

Baguinda said that religious leaders are strongly disturbed about this latest development as Islam is for peace and love for humanity.  Problems of this sort should be discussed in the right forum in a peaceful way, Baguinda added.

Baguinda also called on the Muslim youth to learn and be fully educated on the Islam religion to fully understand the principles of Islam.

Baguinda issued the statement amid observations based on photos and videos that some of the followers of the Abu Sayyaf are young people who have even been seen holding high powered arms.

The religious leader also expressed his concern on the effects of operations that may be launched by the government against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and its effects on innocent civilians, thus their appeal to both sides to provide an extension to solve the problem.

Should the Abu Sayyaf however refuse to heed their appeal, Baguinda said that they cannot do anything as religious leaders are commonly neglected due to previous bad experiences.

The statements were echoed by leaders of indigenous community of Zamboanga, who expressed support to the statement of the religious community.

“We believe that the hostage takers are not in pursuit of the propagation of Islam because we fully believe that there is compassion in the religion of Islam,” said Hajji Abdulbaki Sandag, Secretary General of the Indigenous People Council.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/18957-religious-leaders-concerned-over-abu-sayyaf-kidnappings.html