PHL Army division hosts 1st Islamic Symposium

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 13): PHL Army division hosts 1st Islamic Symposium

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The 1st Islamic Symposium, hosted by the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division on Friday, drew more than 200 participants, mostly Muslim soldiers, Capt. Joan Petinglay has said.

The symposium, held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Center, aims to educate Muslim communities in Central Mindanao, through the Muslim religious sector, about the true essence of Islam, Petinglay said.

Present were Ustadzes, Ulamas, Imams, civilian representatives, members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as well as Muslim and non-Muslim personnel of the 6th Infantry Division.

The speakers were Abuhuraira Udasan and Ustadz Esmail Ebrahim from the Bangsamoro Mufti.

Chief of the 6th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commended the participants and emphasized that correct knowledge of Islam is important to soldiers assigned in Muslim communities in Maguindanao.

Pangilinan said the event also aims to prevent violent extremism from encroaching on the communities. He cited as examples the Islamic State, kidnap-for-ransom gangs, illegal drugs, aggression against the government, and harassment of civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=913424