Muslim caucus backs Arroyo

The Mindanao Muslims’ Caucus for Better Governance, Unity and Solidarity has declared its full support for President Arroyo amid new criticisms against her administration.

In a joint manifesto, at least 30 leaders of the caucus said, “It is our firm and ardent desire to see President Arroyo finish her term in 2010.”

The caucus leaders came from various sectors of Muslim Mindanao like business, local government, agriculture, the academe and the religious.

They said they are extending their full support to the President for her administration’s “genuine concern for our welfare and for the peaceful co-existence of Muslims, Christians and the lumad inhabitants of Mindanao.”

The caucus also noted that the President must finish her term “so that we can fast-track our economy and weather the global economic crisis.”

“There should be no time in our history that our economy should be in peril,” they said.

The signatories included Col. Sultan Mac Sarip Mamayo, vice chairman, Ranao Claims Against the Power Plants; Sheik Mustapha Anggunabdullah, president, Jiamiatu Dhikra Al-Islamia; Aleem Zainoden Bato, vice president, Amiatu Marawi Al-Islamie; Sonny Dipautan, secretary-general, Lanao Muslims Student and Professional Organization; Abdul Azis Marzoc, Marawi City Rice Millers Association; Aleem Elias Macabuat, president, United Imams of Marawi City; Aleem Hakim Makabangkit, director, Kamilo Islam Society; Datu Abdul Pangarungan, president, Jamio Mindanao Islamic Center Inc.; and Sultan Punduma Sani, member of the MNLF central committee and former DILG-ARMM secretary.