Christian, Muslim leaders back GMA on support for US

DAVAO CITY — Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao have committed their support for President Arroyo’s administration in dealing with a possible crisis that may arise following the recent US terror attacks.

"At a time when the Arroyo administration is being put to a test because of events that are beyond our control, we shall maintain our support hinged on confidence and optimism on effective and fair governance," members of the Bishop-Ulama Forum (BUF) said in a statement.

The religious leaders, who attended an Interfaith Solidarity Conference here Tuesday, said they remained supportive of the government’s peace efforts in Mindanao.

They also promised to hold more solidarity meetings as a measure to prevent escalation of conflict between the two groups in the island, especially after the terror attacks blamed on Muslim terrorists.

"At a time when we can expect a wedge to be driven once again between Christians and Muslims in the country because of distrust, anger and wariness, we will build wider bridges to foster understanding and to calm religious tension and fear, especially in communities where Christian and Muslims live together," the BUF said.

The religious leaders said they would be sending a clear message that violence and armed conflict are not the ways of their faith and that it would never bring peace.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita, who presented general situation updates, reiterated the total peace policy of the national government.

He suggested actions to maintain interfaith solidarity, including replication of the conference in other parts of Mindanao down to the community level, further consultations and dialogues at the school level and the adoption of conflict prevention measures.

No anti-Islamic remarks

The President has cautioned Philippine government officials against making any anti-Islamic remarks and comments that will only antagonize and stir prosecution among Filipino Muslims.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said the President issued the warning during the meeting of the National Security Council at Malacañang the other day.

"We were, in fact, told that all of us must see to it that these things do not reach the stage where we look at Muslims as terrorists," he said.

Since the terror attacks on New York and Washington last week, there have been dozens of hate crimes directed against Arab-Americans and Muslims in the US. President George W. Bush decried prejudice against Muslim and Arab-Americans.

In the case of the Philippines, Tiglao said, the government has begun initiatives to help the BUF in spreading the message of peace between Christians and Muslims.

"We must remind our countrymen that Islam is for peace," he said.

In a related development, militant organizations said the Philippines already has enough problems of its own to be involved in a US-instigated war against terrorists.

Nuclear Free Philippines and the People’s Task Force on Bases Clean-Up said the President should adopt the cautious attitude of several US allies toward possible counter-measures against global terrorism.– With Marichu Villanueva, Romel Bagares, Sandy Araneta