Governor Totoh Tan speaks to Muslim religious leaders led by Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar, who visited the Sulu province recently. (Photo by Franzie Sali)
SULU - Muslim religious leaders led by Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar, recently visited the southern Philippine province of Sulu and met with Govenor Totoh Tan.
Governor Tan, who is also the chairman of the Sulu Area Coordinating Council, discussed with the Grand Mufti various issues.
Several leaders of other faiths and faith-based organizations have also met in many instances with the Governor, mainly to discuss not about differences, but common grounds in furtherance of better living for all constituents in Sulu Archipelago and its neighboring communities.
Governor Tan is a strong peace advocate and believer that diversity should not be source of great divide among fellow men and women of goodwill, but an avenue towards communal dynamism in improving societal conditions.
He said nobody should be sidelined because one is different, adding despite mixture of preferences and orientations for betterment by constituents, respect and relationship must be intact.
Religious leaders also held their gathering in Sulu. Among those who attended the gathering of Imam, Ulama, Khatib in the province were Ustadz Sharif Jul-Asiri Abirin, Mufti of Sulu (Madinah Al-Munawwarah); Ustadz Mohd. Suwaib Abedin, Mufti of Socsargen (Madinah Al-Munawwarah); Ustadz Abdulrafih Sayedy, Grand Imam, Blue Mosque and Cultural Center, MM (Azhar), former Dean, Islamic Study, U.P.; Ustadz Said Ahmad Basher, chairman of the Imam Council of the Philippines (Al-Azhar); Ustadz Ahmad Barcelon, head, Balik Islam Group; Ustadz Abbas (SABIR) Omar, Holy Qur'an Islamic Center (Islamic University, Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan(; Ustadz Ahmad Manonas, Director, Ma'had Munawwarah in Davao City (Kulliyatud Da'wah, Libya); Ustadz Said Amin, coordinator, Alfarouq Islamic Institute, Palawan (Madina Graduate); Shariff Mohsen Julabbi, Al-Azhar University Graduate (among the pioneers); Ustadz Yahiya Mohammad, adviser of Sabilal Mohtadeen (Madinah Al-Munawwarah); Sukarno Ikbala, president of ESPERANZA Group; Atty. Meltino Sibulan, human rights advocate; and Professor Nurhassan Danial, (ZamBaSulta Muslim Youth Leader).
Just last month, Governor Tan also held the 2nd Special Regional Peace and Order Council Meeting for Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi here. The regional leadership presided over the meeting where some important issues and concerns were tackled.
Also in December, a dialogue between the military officials and ulama was also held at the Sumadja Hall at the Provincial Capitol. The event was organized and facilitated by Western Mindanao Command and concurred by the Sulu Ulama Council for Peace and Development.
Nearly a hundred Muslim religious leaders attended led by Tuan Sharif Julasiri Abirin ( Mufti of Sulu), Tuan Muhaymin Abubakar (SUCPD Chairman) and Tuan Yahya Abdulla (SUCPD/Farmers Federation) attended the dialogue.
The military contingent was headed by General Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command and Rear Admiral Yoma, commander of the Task Force Zambasulta, among others.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly through the current Joint Task Group-Sulu and the Sulu Ulama Council for Peace and Development are two of the actively-engaged network partners of Sulu Area Coordinating Council.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/01/grand-mufti-visits-sulu-province.html
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