news that should be read

With all the election-related drama, this bit of news published on the front page of the Inquirer yesterday passed under the radar for most of the evening newscasts that I caught on TV last night. Which is a crying shame because this bit of news has a far larger impact on the everyday lives of ordinary people in Mindanao than any of the realpolitik (or should we say surrealpolitik) that our media insists on covering.

The decision of the Islamic jurists to address the very real issue of terrorism this coming year in their various sermons is what so many people in the Philippines have been waiting for–the first real foray into the articulation of Islam's key principles not only for Muslims but for non-Muslims as well. The possibility of real engagement and real dialogue is dependent on the willingness of all parties to clearly articulate their positions. And these muftis have done just that–addressed their opinions and understanding of the Koran to the rest of the Islamic community and to the rest of the Philippines.

Fr. Rene Oliveros, SJ, one of the few true Islamic scholars in the country (he himself is half-Tausug) once gave a talk to the JVP Manila local community about the possible points were dialogue between Catholics and Muslims; the title of his talk was kairos. Kairos is the Greek word for "opportunity." The issuing of this sermon is itself a point of kairos, and I hope we don't waste it.

I wish we'd give them the opportunity to be heard above the cacophony of miting de avances and campaign jingles.

The full article is after the jump. 

Islamic jurists write sermon against terror
First posted 05:06:06 (Mla time) February 12, 2007
Nash Maulana
Inquirer

COTABATO CITY — The guardians of the House of Opinion known as “muftis” have written a “khutba” — a year-round sermon to be read in mosques — supporting the government’s anti-terror campaign.

Ustadz Abdullah Hamja Utto, the mufti of Basilan province, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Islamic terrorists, who barely understood the Koran, often resorted to corrupting its verses to gain support.

“The voice of the unlearned became louder and their lies written longer than the speeches and writings of true scholars,” said Utto.

Ustadz Esmael Ebrahim, senior associate of the Dharul Ifta (House of Opinion) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the muftis intended to counter these “lies” when they decided to write the khutba.

Ebrahim said every stand the muftis took on crucial issues would be based on authoritative and authentic Islamic sources.

The muftis, headed by Ustadz Abdulwahid Inju of Tawi-Tawi said the anti-terror khutba, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer, would be reviewed by other ulama (scholars) for its applicability and social context.

Part of the sermon reads:

“There is nothing in common between a way of life (in Islam) that stands for peace, harmony, order, justice and compassion on the one hand and acts of hatred, vengeance and evil (in terrorism) on the other.

“Indeed, Islam and terrorism stand on opposite ends of the moral spectrum. In Islam, life is so sacred. It is a gift from God that He alone has the right to take back. Murder and the killing of innocent civilians in warfare is strictly forbidden.”

Rules of engagement

The sermon also said:

“The Prophet Muhammad himself set the rules of engagement in wars, which were keenly observed by his followers. Muslims cannot dishonor a treaty; they cannot mutilate the dead; they cannot kill women, children, the elderly or any person who does not carry weapons. A Muslim cannot kill those engaged in worship, like monks or priests or Rabbis; we cannot cut down trees or burn crops or poison water supplies. We are only allowed to kill those who physically attack us, (or) intending to kill us.”

In all, the muftis of Basilan, Lanao Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have written 55 khutbas for all of this year’s Friday prayers.

Inju said the muftis wanted the Islamic scholars to deliver the sermons, especially those that condemn terrorism, in all mosques nationwide.

Antiterror bill

The khutba came ahead of the bicameral conference approval on Thursday of the anti-terror bill, which is to be known as “The Human Security Act.”

Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Calderon said last week the anti-terror bill passed by the bicameral committee still needed “modification.”

But Calderon, who visited the ARMM police office in Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan, did not say what provisions of the bill needed modification.

“It is still lacking in few aspects to become effective but as a whole, it is a big boost to the campaign of the police and other agencies against terror,” he said.

Calderon lauded lawmakers for adopting the measure, which he described as an antidote to the global threat of terrorism.

Safeguards

“I am also glad that there are safeguards in place in the bill to ensure that terror suspects are not abused by arresting officers,” he said.

Under the approved bill, Calderon said suspected terrorists could be detained for three days without charges.

He said arresting officers could also be fined P500,000 for wrongfully detaining a suspect.

“These are more than enough for the police and the military and other arresting officers to be cautious before conducting an arrest,” Calderon said.

“This (bill) is good, it makes us lawmen more conscious of our duty to respect the rights of every citizen,” he added. With reports from Charlie C. Señase and Jeffrey M. Tupas, Inquirer Mindanao

Copyright INQUIRER.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.