GMA calls for closer Christian-Muslim ties

Calling for closer cooperation between the two faiths, President Arroyo urged yesterday Christian and Muslim Filipinos to join the government in fighting terrorism and other crimes.

Speaking over Radio Mindanao Network, Mrs. Arroyo said Christians and Muslims should hold more joint community activities so they could have a deeper understanding of their religious beliefs and work more closely.

"It’s important that there are closer ties," she said. "For example, the barangay captains in Taguig and Quiapo... should lead interfaith dialogues."

Barangay Maharlika in Taguig and the Islamic Center in Quiapo, Manila are homes to two of the largest Muslim communities in Metro Manila. The other is Barangay Culiat in Quezon City.

Mrs. Arroyo said law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear despite the sudden upsurge of discrimination against Muslims following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"All of us should show through our actions that Muslims are our brothers and sisters," she said. "We must show our goodwill to our Muslim neighbors."

Mrs. Arroyo also allayed fears among Muslim Filipinos that police will make indiscriminate raids and arrests in their communities in search of the usual suspects.

The government is trying to foster religious amity, especially in Mindanao, through civic activities and dialogues between military officers and local government officials, she added.

Mrs. Arroyo said the fight against terrorism should be undertaken in the barangay level to convince the people that the government is on their side.

"If we’re going to fight terrorism, barangay intelligence is very important," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the number of sympathizers of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf among the 200,000 residents of Basilan has gone down from 80 to 50 percent.

"That’s still a huge figure but the effort should be at the barangay level, the people there would be convinced that it is the government, not the Abu Sayyaf, who loves them."

Last Friday, Muslim leaders led by former senator Santanina Rasul and House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin met with Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo to discuss issues concerning the terrorist attack on the United States.