PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY by Philippine Muslim Today

Conflict in Ibada and Public Service tenets

Gregorian Calendar vs. Hijra Calendar, which one is preferable?

Julmunir I. Jannaral | A7

Putting in the right perspective, the BTA’s transition extension

Bayan G. Balt | A8

Ali G. Macabalang | A8

KSA-Qatar reconciliation is a relief for the Muslim world

Abdul Hannan M. Tago | A10

Muslim today PHILIPPINE

Save the Earth

The Muslim National Digital Newspaper | Bearer of Glad Tidings.

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-16, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442) | 12 Pages

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TFBM ’more of a stumbling block in Marawi rehab’ – TPMT By ALI G. MACABALANG

EDITORIAL

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Marawi has not yet truly recovered

he Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) for the peace process shaping the establishment of the Bangsamoro autonomous region has virtually prescribed for reforms in

A3 BANGSAMORO

A10 MUSLIM WORLD

BARMM sends foods to troubled Maguindanao villagers

KSA-Qatar reconciliation is a relief for the Muslim world

By ALI G. MACABALANG

By ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

Saudi Arabia reopened its airspace, land and sea borders with Qatar on Monday, in a breakthrough agreement aimed at ending the three-year diplomatic dispute with Doha, according to an Arab News report recently.

the government mechanisms concerning the much-delayed rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City. Full Story on Page A2

A12 TOURISM

The Badjao Woman (II) By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

A2 Rep. Mangudadatu calls for cohesion against rising violence in Maguindanao

The Bangsamoro

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

TFBM ’more of a stumbling block in Marawi rehab’ – TPMT By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY: The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) for the peace process shaping the establishment of the Bangsamoro autonomous region has virtually prescribed for reforms in the government mechanisms concerning the much-delayed rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City.

Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu. (File) COTABATO CITY: Civilian, police and military authorities should institute cohesive measures to curb rising violence in some parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), particularly in Maguindanao. Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael ―Toto‖ Mangudadatu aired such call in a statement issued on Jan. 5, less than a week after armed men burned 13 houses in Barangay Itaw, a Teduray village in South Upi town, on Dec. 31 and ambushed the convoy of vehicles of the town mayor on Jan. 3, reportedly killing an escort and wounding four other companions. ―I am appealing to the provincial authorities and the AFP to join forces for the immediate reduction, if not eradication, of violence in Maguindanao so that our province will gain stability and safeguards for our constituents,‖ the former-governor-turnedlawmaker said. Mangudadatu said he noticed an upscale in violent incidents in his province which authorities attributed to sporadic attacks by radicals like Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) guerillas and partisan armed men purportedly training atrocities on South Upi, notably Teduray occupying ancestral lands and town Mayor Reynalbert Insular. Mayor Insular, along with members of the South Upi Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), had just concluded relief aid operation to displaced families in Barangay Itaw when gunmen opened fire on their vehicles along Barangay Pandan in their return route. The Jan. 3 ambush reportedly left Mayor Insular unhurt, but one of his escorts was killed and four other companions including two studenthitchers were wounded. It was the third slay-try on the mayor, who also survived an ambush on July 14, 2015 and a bomb attack at his town hall on June 23, 2019. Rep. Mangudadatu also called on the Bangsamoro government to look into the issue and create a swift solution to the plight of Teduray villagers purportedly being harassed to abandon their ancestral lands. ―We have seen a big increase in the number of deadly incidences against civilians who lose lives, limbs, livelihood and their houses in the process. Napapanahon na para magkaroon ng mas malalim na pagtingin at pag-iimbestiga sa mga kasong ito, gaya umano sa ginagawang panggigipit sa ating mga kapatid na katutubo dahil pilit na inaagaw ang kanilang lupa o ancestral domain,‖ said Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu concluded his statement to say: ―The peace and order situation in Maguindanao is a far-cry from what it used to be years ago. It has now become a bedrock of insurgencies, deaths and terroristic acts. The constituents of the province need to be protected now more than ever.‖ By ALI G. MACABALANG

The TPMT, formed in 2013 with Heino Marius as chairperson and Karen Tañada, Hüseyin Oruc, Dr. Rahib L. Kudto, and Sam Chittick as members, released last month its sixth public report covering March 2019 to October 2020 amid debates over a call for longer lifespan in the Bangsamoro transitional governance. Hinting insufficient transition period, the TPMT report averred that ―more work is still needed‖ to fully implement the provisions of R.A. 11054 (charter of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and those under the Philippine government-MILF major peace deals — the Comprehensive Agreement on

filed in the House of Representatives to postpone the 2022 election for regular members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The 80-seat BTA, serving as the interim governing body of the new autonomous region, is presently composed of members appointed by President

placed thousands of residents. Marawi rehabilitation In its report, the TPMT expressed concern with the ―frustration and a lack of information among constituents‖ on the rehabilitation of wartorn Marawi City. It averred that the TFBM was ―becoming more of a stumbling block rather

Bangsamoro of 2014 and the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro of 2013. The release of the report came almost simultaneously with published announcements that President Duterte agreed with the proposed transition extension and at least three bills had just been

Duterte for a term ending in 2022. The TPMT report has directly or indirectly boosted the call for longer BTA lifespan, on one hand, and corroborated public notion about inefficient operations by the Task Force Bangong Marawi (TFBM ) in rehabilitating Marawi City and its dis-

than a facilitator of transformation in the city,‖ noting that rehabilitation plans were prepared without the participation of affected residents. The TPMT added that stakeholders were concerned about the announcement of a new AFP base in Marawi that was reportedly decided

Members of Third Party Monitoring Team

upon without consulting the Bangsamoro Government. ―For three years, a large portion of the citizens of Marawi have been removed from their homes and their history. Despite many promises, the rehabilitation of the city and return of citizens to the most-affected area has no clear end date,‖ it said. In recent months, concerned nongovernment organizations have called for TFBM abolition and its replacement by another state-sponsored body that can efficiently and effectively carryout rehabilitation works for Marawi City and its displaced residents, some 10,000 of whom have reportedly been scattered across the country in desperate plights. The TFBM is composed for most of the government line agencies and chaired by retired military General Eduardo del Rosario in his capacity as head of the National Housing and Urban Development Council. Del Rosario has retained the TFBM chairmanship after President Duterte named him secretary of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, an infant agency. After some hearings interrupted by complaints about lapses in Marawi rehabilitation efforts, the powerful Commission on Appointments confirmed Del Rosario‘s appointment. AGM

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Across Mindanao

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

54,081 flood-affected families receive BARMM relief goods By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY: Close to 55,000 families affected by floods alone in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have received relief goods from the BARMM‟s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI) program in 2020, according to a report to the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM). The report dated Dec. 7, 2020 obviously excluded relief aids provided for flood victims during Dec. 8-31 period. As of Dec. 7, the report said, a total of 75,933 households had been affected by flood in the region, 43, 369 of which were still earmarked with READI food packages regularly containing 12 kilos of rice, 12 canned sardines, sanitary soap bars, and other basic each. The READI program is a special emergency response unit of the OCM related to the Ministry of Interior and Local Government‘s (MILG‘s) direct management. The OCM directly sustains another special project – Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG) Program –that has so far served 8,552 indigent constituents during the 12-month operation of the venture recokened in November 2019. Under the AMBAG project, the OCM shoulders at least P10,000 worth of hospital bills by indigents. But the Bureau of Public Information (now Bangsamoro Information Office) said the program had extended P50,000 aid to Pelagio Ado, a 51-year old traffic enforcer of South Upi, Maguindanao who needed over P100,000 worth of medication after an almostfatal road accident. The READI program regularly stages major

BARMM’S READI workers aboard boats with relief goods en route to flood-affected communities along the Liguasan Marsh on the border of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces. (Photo supplied) relief dispatch for needing families in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and TawiTawi provinces, the cities of Marawi, Cotabato and Lamitan, and the 63 villages in North Cotabato, all components of BARMM. It extends minor dispatches in areas outside BARMM on requests of calamitygripped families. The READI‘s first batch of major relief distribution started on Sept. 17, 2020, catering to some 13,000 households in the Pigcawayan and Midsayap, North Cotabato. Eachfloodaffected household got an average of 10 kilos of rice and canned goods, the OCM report said. READI workers staged the second wave of the distribution on October 5- 9, serving a total of 17, 232 households from the barangays of Batulawan, Balungis, Dunguan, Tapodoc, Pikit, Gokotan, Nabuntas, Nala-

paan, Panicupan, Bualan, Manaulanan, Pamalian, Macasandeg in Pikit, North Cotabato. Each family got a similar quantity of goods, the report said. After typhoon Rolly hit the country on October 26, some areas in Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur were also affected by flooding brought by heavy rainfall, prompting another wave of READI relief missions. The MILG, Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), alongside Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (P/ MDRRMOs) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also conducted several coordination meetings to monitor the situation in flash flood-affected communities in BARMM. Data from the READI program showed many communities in the prov-

inces of Sulu, Lamitan , Basilan and Cotabato City felt the onslaught of typhoons Rolly and Quint, the regional information office said. Since last October 20, more than 70 barangays in Central Mindanao were flooded after the overflowing of 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta, following torrential rains in mountain ranges around it. The most affected barangays were in interior areas in adjoining towns of Pagalungan and Montawal in Maguindanao and in nearby Pikit and Kabacan in North Cotabato. MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, who supervises the READI program, said most of the flood-affected communities around the Liguasan Marsh were served with relief goods by boats due to inaccessibility of roads during inundation time. AGM

Lawyer simplifies, sells ‘book on libel law’ for fellow scribes, ailing kin’s therapy needs Amid growing online social media ventures laced with high susceptibility to legal suits, Filipino journalists and even bloggers can now access protective reference at cheaper cost, courtesy of a crusading lawyer-journalist from South Cotabato. What makes the option more interesting is the author‘s desire to muster funds from the proceeds of selling his book – ―Simplified Libel

Cancer-patient Arlene Priscilla ‘Ging’ Cataluña Causing and his crusading brother lawyer Berteni (inset). (Photo supplied)

Law in the Philippines‖ – for the sustained medication of ailing sister, and the rest for his own health concerns and those of others who have no money for medical needs or protection from libel and cyber libel cases. Berteni Cataluña Causing, a humble alumnus of the Mindanao State University (MSU) who became a lawyer while in media practice, sent to fellow

journalists (like me) some salient lines in the second edition of his book on the eve of the 2020 Christmas Day, a meaningful moment for humanitarianism. Fellow long-time scribe Nash Maulana, in his Facebook post, said: ―The Philippine Libel Law made simple in a book written by lawyer Berteni Cataluña Causing.‖ LAWYER | A11

BARMM sends foods to troubled Maguindanao villagers The Bangsamoro autonomous government, through its Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), has extended relief goods to families affected by latest segment of intermittent atrocities that peaked in armed men‟s torching of indigenous tribesmen‟s houses on New Year‟s Eve. Workers of the BARMM‘s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI), a special program of the Office of the Chief Minister managed by the MILG, delivered on January 4 a truckload of relief items and distribute the goods to dozens of families directly and indirectly affected in the arson-capped attack. Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM spokesman and MILG minister, described the humanitarian field operation as the ―first (official) act‖ this year of his ministry, which the local media viewed as the ―most dynamically visible‖ agency of the regional governance. READI workers said each of the relief packages contained 12 kilos of premium rice and12 canned goods alongside basic commodities needed most by families affected in the Dec. 31 attack that left 13 houses torched. A report published on Jan. 3 quoted a Teduray resident as complaining about a series of harassment meant to drive them away from their ancestral lands. ―They want us to leave our ancestral lands… This is about land conflict. We are asking the (Philippine) Army to put up a CAFGU (Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit) detachment here,‖ a Tedurary evacuee said in the report. Cotabato-based journalist John Unson, who has direct access to South and North Upi, had earlier written news items confirming harassment of Teduray villagers by ―Maguindanaon-speaking‖ armed men. READI said Chief Minister Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim and Minister Sinarimbo have urged authorities to investigate thoroughly the incident and institute measures that will quell further attacks on Teduray villagers in South Upi. Reports attributed to Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, head of the Army‘s 6th Infantry Division, described the arsonists as the same people suspected in the ambush on a convoy of vehicles carrying South Upi Mayor Reynalbert ―Obet‖ Insular and companions on Sunday, Jan. 3, afternoon at Barangay Pandan. The attackers reportedly staged the Jan. 3 attack with an initial roadside bombing and subsequent assault rifles‘ shots at the mayor‘s convoy. Mayor Insular was unhurt in the attack, but a report in the Mindanews.com said an escort of the mayor – named as Thelmo Divinagracia, 28 years old – was killed, while three other companions were injured. One of the wounded was an elected councilor in South Upi, according to another report. Responding soldiers from the 57th Infantry Battalion rescue the ambush victims and rushed them to a hospital here, even as two military helicopters fired rockets and machineguns‘ shots at the fleeing suspects while reportedly fleeing toward upland communities in Talayan, Datu Saudi and Datu Unsay towns in Maguindanao. The attack was the third attempt on the life of the mayor. The first was staged on July 14, 2015 by armed men that fired a rocket-propelled grenade, but missed, while Insular‘s convoy was cruising Kilometer 28 in neighboring North Upi town. On June 23, 2020, an improvised bomb was exploded at the back of the town hall, while he was holding office. The blast shuttered window glasses at the mayor‘s office, it was learned. ALI G. MACABALANG

The Nation

MinDA pursues 4 agenda, sustains push for Bangsamoro

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

2020 calamities magnify NCMF ingenuities amid fund limit By ALI G. MACABALANG

EN. SANTOS CITY: Like other government agencies, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has exemplified utmost innovative measures to help address the adversities of natural calamities ranging from volcano eruption and earthquakes to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the country in 2020.

Above is one of several photos supplied by MinDA in its four agenda of pursuing life-enhancing ventures in Mindanao. It shows MinDA Chair Manny Pinol and Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. sowing sorghum seeds in 2020. (MinDA Photo) KIDAPAWAN CITY: The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is pursuing unprecedented initiatives it started in 2020 to help transform the Island region, including the Bangsamoro autonomous community into “land of fulfilled promise.” In the first week of 2021, MinDA Chair Manny Piñol has mentioned four agenda so far in separate Facebook posts: The bamboo farming and processing that proved pilot success in Bukidnon; the solar water supply program launched in Taraka, Lanao del Sur; Fishing and dried fish production exemplified lucratively in Zamboanga Sibugay; and the Sorghum farming set for mass harvest in Agusan del Sur. In earlier posts, Sec. Piñol had disclosed MinDA‘s commitment to push its partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines to link to the banking world several towns, especially in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, after the successful opening last year of initial three DBP automated teller machine kiosks in Malabang and Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. Sec. Piñol also announced on Wednesday, Jan. 6, his administration‘s pursuit for increased government attention to the welfare of Filipino farmers via legislative review or amendment in the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). He had made a representation last year that prompted Senator Manny Pacquiao to file a bill seeking to amend such edict, which both officials viewed as adverse to the farmers. ―At whatever cost, the Philippines must work on achieving rice self-sufficiency, or at least achieve a production level which would not make it totally dependent on imported rice. To do this, I made two simple recommendations based on my experience as a local government executive, former Agriculture Secretary and most of all, as a farmer,‖ Piñol said. His recommendations included RTL amendment to ―assure farmers that the market will not be flooded with imported rice when they harvest,: and the use of an amended Magna Carta for Small Farmers as the legal leg, which could set a Palay farm gate price of P20 per kilo to be followed by both the National Food Authority and commercial traders. ―Some may view this (assertion) as oversimplifying a complex global supply problem but that is what it really is, a simple problem with simple solutions,‖ he said. On Agenda No. 1, Piñol said the MinDA would convene bamboo stakeholders in a virtual conference second week of January to organize the Mindanao Bamboo Industry Development Council. The task to convene the virtual conference has been assigned to the Northern Mindanao Area Management Office (NM-AMO) of MinDA which covers Bukidnon, base of the first bamboo industrial processing facility in Mindanao, the Bukidnon Giant Bamboo Resources, Corp., which has proven that a bamboo farmer could net P200,000 per harvest in one hectare, he said. MINDA| B3

―To say that 2020 was a year of difficulties is a massive understatement,‖ NCMF spokesman Jun AlontoDatu Ramos said in their year-end report, hinting at how their agency workforces exerted a higher degree of ingenuities stimulated by limited budget supports. Established in 2010 under R.A. 9997 in replacement of the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), the NCMF is mandated to serve the country‘s minority Muslim citizens particularly in promoting their culture and institutions, conduct of hajj (Islamic pilgrimage), Qur‘an reading competitions, and implementation of necessary measures in Shari‘ah project and madrasa (Arabic/ Islamic) education, among others. Volcano eruption, sporadic earthquakes and a series of typhoons compounded by the advent of COVID-19 pandemic entailed government agencies like the NCMF to divert regular thrusts to relief and rehabilitation efforts ―Social media posts highlighting numerous events since January 2020 flooded our newsfeeds. What started off as a singular movement to address the calamity in the vicinity of the Taal Volcano (grew to) numerous calls for assistance in earthquake-hit and fire-ravaged Muslim Filipino communities in Mindanao and parts of Luzon,‖ Datu Ramos said. The pandemic that swiftly spread across the globe and redounded to lockdowns in March lockdowns in the country had magnified the influx of desperate messages for rescues, delivery of relief goods, and assistance to bury the dead Muslims who were ―in danger of being

Photo shows Muslim vendors stranded somewhere in Luzon awaiting government relief assistance. An NCMF team distributed packs of relief goods on the day the photo was taken. (Photo supplied) cremated,‖ he recalled. The surge of returning OFWs and Islamic scholars from abroad in fashion aggravating concerns on Muslim Filipino LSIs (Locally Stranded Individuals) who had no means of returning to Mindanao, jobless and unable to provide for their hungry families had exacted another major attention the NCMF‘s pools of workers across the country, he said. Datu Ramos added: ―Things became worse… when succeeding typhoons caused severe flooding nationwide, with multiple Muslim families and other residents forced to seek (refuge in) higher ground as they watched their properties submerged in muddy water.‖ He viewed the ―cancellation of the Hajj 2020‖ as a result of the pandemic as a ―most painful‖ part of NCMF‘s fate, saying their Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment had to conduct a mass refund for all the paid pilgrims nationwide. But despite all such emergencies, he said, the ―NCMF remained vigilant and active in responding to many calls for help that we could (provide within

the bounds of) financial constraints and limited manpower of the NCMF.‖ The NCMF was appropriated in 2020 with a total budget of P715.2 million broken at P 566.7M for personnel salaries, P154.2-M for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and P16.4M as capital outlay, he said in another message to the Philippine Muslim Today. In the year-end report, Datu Ramos averred: ―We somehow made it work through the one thing that the Commission (NCMF) is mandated to do – unification of the Muslim Filipino communities.‖ ―We saw private individuals and organizations, with government officials and agencies, donating through the Bureau of Muslim Settlements, Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution, the Bureau of External Relations, and the 11 NCMF regional offices and 10 field offices across the country. Datu Ramos attributed the major credit to NCMF Secretary Saidamen Balt Pangarungan, who he said exerted much coordinative efforts with public and private sectors for

complementation in serving Muslim Filipinos. “Magaling sa convergence at coordination si secretary. Hingi ng hingi sa ibang departments to meet the demands of emergency times,” he said, referring to Pangarungan‘s leadership ingenuity. He also extolled Pangarungan‘s utmost concern for the welfare of the NCMF workers, hinting that past leaderships had neglected the subordinates. The yearend also conveyed words of gratitude to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año alongside Undersecretaries Marjorie Jalojos and Jonathan Malaya for their prompt interventions in ―securing safe passages for the tablighs (preachers), stranded Islamic scholars (morits), and the burial of COVID and nonCOVID-related deaths amid travel bans.‖ The NCMF also acknowledged assistance of the DSWD under Secretary Rolando Bautista for providing thousands of Family Relief Packs distributed through the NCMF. It also thanked Agriculture Secretary William Dar for contributing NCMF | A8

Across the Nation

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

14 district engineers relieved due to corruption: DPWH

Arabic-speaking teachers appointment proves moral governance

BY FERDINAND PATINIO

ANILA: Fourteen district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allegedly in"The 14 (district engineers) were relieved. Our task force against corruption is getting complaints. We are also asking help from other agencies for the case buildup on the complaints,‖ Villar said in a Laging Handa briefing. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the relief of some DPWH district engineers over their alleged involvement in corruption. Villar, meanwhile, said a reshuffle of DPWH officials is in the offing. ―Soon we will have a reshuffle in the department and there will be changes. We, in the Department will continue to fight against corruption. We continue to investigate the reports that are being submitted,‖ he added. Villar also assured that the relief of some officials from their posts would not affect the

volved in corruption have been relieved from their posts, Secretary Mark Villar said on Thursday.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar. (Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing) agency's operations. ―We have many personnel...the department is big. We have many professionals and we have a system that‘s why I think it will not have an effect,‖ he added. Asked when the reshuffle will begin, Villar said: ―within the month, definitely, definitely. We are working on it and definitely it will be implemented as soon as possible.‖

Meanwhile, Villar refused to comment on allegations by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman Dante Jimenez over supposed insertions in the DPWH's budget for this year. ―The budget is a legislative function, we don‘t want to comment on legislative matters. But for us, if we see things that are needed to fix or we see wastag-

es, definitely we will fix them. We will not allow the money of our fellowmen to be out to waste,‖ he said. Villar added that they are willing to work with the PACC. ―So we will work with the PACC. We will work with other agencies to make sure that all the projects are implemented properly and are needed,‖ he said. PNA

Public warned vs. fake national ID scam

OTABATO CITY: The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has warned the public against unauthorized individuals issuing fake National IDs and issuing false information about the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys. In its official Facebook post, PSA warned the public to be careful and avoid individuals or groups that are releasing FALSE information about PhilSys. PSA is referring to a certain social media group claiming as ―Philippine National ID (News & Information) and an individual by the name of ―Calvin Processings‖ who based on the information PSA has received, is processing a fake National ID with a corresponding fee. PSA said the social media group is posting

By ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

By AMIR A. SINSUAT

false information about PhilSys on Facebook. PSA reminded the public that PhilSys registration is free and the process of registration consists of three steps. PSA warned the public especially those who are planning to scam PhilSys that unauthorized issuance of PhilID and its use is punishable of three to six years imprisonment and a fine of

one million to three million pesos as provided under the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of R.A. No. 11055 or Philippine Identification System Act. PSA further reminded the public to be careful and to not fall prey to scammers who are giving false information about PhilSys. It encouraged the

public to immediately report fake posts, pages or individuals doing illegal activities related to PhilSys by messaging m.me/PSAPhilSysOfficial Facebook page or call PhilSys hotline, 1388. Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens. The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts. It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. With PNA

ifty years ago the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was formed by then Islamic and Arabic students based in Cairo, Egypt led by Salamat Hashim, Abdulaziz Mimbantas and several others. The young Moro aimed to establish a moral government and regain the Bangsamoro‘s legitimate rights; including power sharing and job opportunities among others. Recently, Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE-BARMM) Mohagher Iqbal appointed a big number of colleges graduates from the Arabic and Islamic educational institutions both local and foreign universities. The ministry has the largest budget proportion in 2021 that would help it to discharge its mandate and plan for the much needed education to meet the market needs while main- Minister Iqbal and the autaining God-fearing thor at the former’s office in Cotabato taken last Janworkforce. uary 8. Nearly 2500 Arabicspeaking or ―Asatijah‖ in Jolo, Basilan and Tawi Tawi have benefited from the massive appointment with a considerable monthly retainer of P12,000. The move was followed by similar number of qualified beneficiaries in Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur. This indicated and brought about the good tidings for the thousands graduates in these institutions landing in a decent job opportunities for the benefit of their families and the new generation. According to a source from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Ragion in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) the move is unprecedented. It never happened in the Bangsamoro Education Bangsamoro history Minister Mohagher Iqbal with the writer at ABS-CBN and the Philippines as headquarters in Manila whole. during the BOL campaign. The source said, there (AHM Tago photo) was only 1100 Asatijah being appointed during the time of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). I do remember when I was teaching while studying in 1984 for only 100 pesos a month. So far, many Arabic-speaking teachers are still in a surviving status performing their duties mainly for the sake of Islam and its teachings, discipline, peace and healthy community. Thank to BARMM the MBHTE move has displayed moral objectives where members of the organization molded with both strong spiritual, discipline and physical trained leadership. TAGO | A11

Editorial

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Trustees MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor Bureau Chief for National Capital Region ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao Region JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region PHIL MUSLIM Layout Artist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Advertising Sales Director for NCR NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG Correspondent COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA ATTY. BAYAN G. BALT BENJ BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D ATTY. NASSER A. MAROHOMSALIC FILEMON G. ROMERO, Ph.D ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN DR. ABDUL HANNAN M. TAGO DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management. TEMPORARY BUSINESS OFFICE:

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Editorial

Whatever praises they say for its rehab, Marawi has not yet truly recovered

he latest series of payouts to the Marawi Siege beneficiaries, at this early part of the year are in full swing as of this writing. While the recipients, who have been thronged the encashment centers are understandably elated to receive their much-needed cash, the event should serve as food for thought, considering that after more than three years after the tragedy that befell Marawi, the city and its people have yet to fully recover. Everywhere one goes, where Mranaws are bound to be found, it can be observed that there are more of this once-proud people — men, women, and even children — begging on the streets, having had their already previously small incomes and livelihoods torn away from them three years ago. This would have been unthinkable years ago. There is something wrong. Mranaws lining up for various kinds of relief services, whether food, cash, or medical services until now, cramped in crowded shelters with not much certainty regarding their lost properties, their sanity, and in some cases, their loved ones, should make any right-minded person worry about where would these people be in the next four to five years after the siege. Something is very wrong. Knowing that so much assistance has been extended from national and even international sources and yet nothing impactful has happened is mindboggling. Seeing that the ruins in the most affected parts of Marawi have yet to rise, three years after the tragedy, is maddening. The complacency and even acceptance with which everyone seems to have imbibed regarding the matter, is disgusting. Something is really wrong. It will not take a genius to realize that, in spite of the catchy phrase that the head agency tasked with the rehabilitation of the city had named itself, hindi pa rin talaga nakakabangon ang Marawi. (Marawi has not yet really recovered.) Is it safe to hope for a miracle, preferably not on the months before the next elections? Maybe. Maybe not. Unless the people wisely decide with their votes. Unless those who will be the next to assume positions of power will overturn the status quo and give to Marawi and her people what is really needed. Unless real justice is given to Marawi City. Till then, the ordinary citizen will still be accosted by beggars in the streets and the lines for relief and aid will grow longer. PMT

MOTTO OF THE WEEK | Mas Yahya

uwag na huwag magkabayo ng dalawa. Tendency, mapipiyang ka. One at a time Bruderz. Anhin mo ang pera kung mapipiyang ka naman sa kalaonan. ******* "Don't mind the insincere; it's enough you're sincere yourself." ******* Katawan den so Ranao o so mga seda-on.

Opinion

Ijtihad MEHOL K. SADAIN

hus, begin the immortalized lines by Charles Dickens in his novel of London and Paris, and continue with, “it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” These lines aptly describe the year 2020, the main event of which, the global covid19 pandemic, brought out the best of peoples, as well as the worst of them, globally. The medical personnel served as the frontline of defense as countries battled the killer virus, and ordinary people were called upon to follow protocols and contribute their share in the struggle against the disease. It was indeed the best of times for people to show the heroic stuff they were

made of. But it was also the worst of times, as the pandemic raged, claiming millions of victims, many of them fatally; and as leaders and governments stumbled and at times, bungled, their attempts to deal with the pandemic. The golden-haired leader of the so-called democratic world, showed the entire world the supreme idiocy of arrogance as he shunned disease prevention masks and notoriously gave his country the highest statistics of pandemic victims on a per country basis. It was indeed the worst of times for people to lack common sense and empathy, and inflict these faults on others who either threw caution to the wind and refused to follow health protocols, or were just overwhelmed by events and failed to protect themselves. The year also marked the rise of wisdom over foolish-

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL 1, 2021 the J ANUARY New Year in Gregorian calendar has passed already and so as Muharram 1, 1441 the Islamic New Year or Amun Jadid that is equivalent to August 31, 2019. Therefore the next Amun Jadid will be on Muharram 1, 1443 equivalent to August 9, 2021. If in the last Amun Jadid, only few among us Muslims or non-Muslims have greeted one another with Happy Amun Jadid unlike what we usually do during New Year like in January 1, 2021. I hope many of us this coming August 9, 2021 will start greeting one another either personally or in Social Media like Facebook with Happy Amun Jadid. Be that as it may, we in the Philippine Muslim Today through the initiative of our Editor-in-Chief, Dean Masiding Noor Yahya we have started to popularize both Calendars hoping it will serve as a Name Recall to our readers. Thus like today that is Friday, January 8, 2021we have placed in the Front Page of this First Muslim Digital Online National Newspaper the equivalent date that is also Friday, Jumada Al-Awwal 24,

1442. One may asks why it is called Hijra and when was the start of the Islamic Calendar. Hijra started at the time when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his followers migrated in 622 CE (Common Era) from Makkah to Madina (Yathrib) in order to escape persecution. 622 CE is the era used in the Islamic lunar calendar to begin counting composed of 12 months starting with Muharram; Safar; Rabi‘ al-awwal; Rabi‘ al-thani, Rajab, Sha‘aban; Ramadan; Shawwal; Dhu al-Qi‘dah; and Dhu al -Hijjah. Again, Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, an alumnus of AlAzhar University in Cairo, Egypt at the same time the Religious Adviser of the Philippine Muslim Today told this Columnist among the 12 lunar months in the Hijra calendar some months are favored over all other months, like Ramadan because it is the month of mercy, the month when Qur‘an was revealed, and the month of forgiveness. Thus he said these four months (Muharram, Rajab, Dhu alQi‘dah, Dhu al-Hijjah) are fa-

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

“IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES” ness, as people woke up to the reality of basic living over the unnecessary excesses of the past, of the value of family that serves as one‘s shelter in times of distress and the importance of caring for each other during their transient lives, as people witnessed beloved relatives and friends fall ill and die. The foolishness of invincibility crumbled in the midst of a death that did not distinguish status and rank. And while some felt the despair of being abandoned, many revved up their faith in the mercy of a Creator who created everything, including the disease that now serves as a trial to mankind. Depending on how one is treating this pandemic, people either stressed themselves to death or renewed their faith in a God that wills everything. One living in the world, by the world and of the world, naturally felt the anxiety of a world being eroded by disease and economic travails. However, one living in the world and beyond it, reached out for the

Divine Mind to understand his difficulty, and the Divine Hand to pull him out of that difficulty. Such can only happen with either the weakening or the strengthening of faith and belief. Finally, where there is darkness, there is light; and where there is the coldness of winter (or the rainy season), there is the warmth of sheltering hope. This is precisely the plea and prayer of everybody in the dawning of 2021. In the midst of the still raging pandemic, the discovery of mutating viruses, and illnesses and deaths that continue to plague the world, people have put their hopes on the emerging vaccines, and the judiciousness of their leaders and health officials. People, and that includes us in this country, are hoping that our governments will finally put their act together and act as one in the immunization campaign, anticipating every difficulty rather than creating the difficulties themselves. We know the burden is heavy, and

battles are yet to be won to be triumphant in the bigger war, but we have no other choice but to fight on. As the Noble Qur‘an says: ―Blessed is He in whose Hand is the dominion of the universe and who has power over everything, who created death and life to test which of you is better in deeds. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving.‖ [67:1-2] And in another verse, ―We will certainly test you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and earnings; but give glad tidings to the patient.‖ [2:155] In the end, therefore, it is all about being patient and penitent, persevering and repenting, before a God that removes all our ills because He is Al-Aziz and Al-Ghafur, the Mightiest and the Most Forgiving. Charles Dickens may not be aware of it, but this is the meaning of his above-quoted opening lines in A Tale of Two Cities. MKS

Gregorian Calendar vs. Hijra Calendar, which one is preferable? vored in the Islamic tradition and are called the Sacred Months. Aleem Said said the sanctity of these months was established long time ago, even before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The four sacred months were known since the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be Upon Him). Asked what is really the main purpose of the sanctity of these months, the AlAzhar alumnus said it was to ban battles and make the Hajj journey, the pilgrimage towards the Kaabah safe. Likewise, the Muslim calendar, also called Hijra calendar or Islamic calendar, dating system used in the Muslim world for religious purposes. However most countries especially here in the Philippines since time immemorial as the only Catholic country in Asia used the Gregorian for Civil purposes. It is also based on a year of 12 months, each month beginning approximately at the time of the New Moon. Aleem Said also explained this event, known as the Hijra, is commemorated in Islam for its role in the

founding of the first Muslim community (ummah). In the West, this era is most commonly denoted as AH (Latin: Anno Hegirae in parallel with the Christian (AD), Common(CE) and Jewish eras (AM) and can similarly be placed before or after the date. In predominantly Muslim countries, it is also commonly abbreviated H (―Hijra‖) from its Arabic abbreviation. Years prior to AH 1 are reckoned in English as BH (―Before the Hijra‖), which should follow the date. Because the Islamic lunar calendar has only 354 or 355 days in its year, it slowly rotates relative to the Gregorian calendar year. The year 2021 CE corresponds to the Islamic years AH 1442 – 1443. AH 1440 corresponds to 2018 – 2019 in the Common Era. Now going back to the question, which one is preferable Gregorian Calendar vs. Hijra Calendar? As cited earlier, for Civil purpose, it is preferable to use the Gregorian Calendar; and Hijra Calendar is preferably used for religious purposes. In view of this topic on Gregorian and Hijra Calendars, many Muslims are hav-

ing questions whether it is not forbidden in Islam or haram to extend Christmas or New Year‘s greetings to others whether Muslims or nonMuslims.There are divergent of opinions. My fraternal sister in the Alpha Sigma Phi-1845 said there are People particularly the fanatic Muslims who don‘t celebrate Christmas or New Year saying that these are the practices of the Christians. And so Prof. Farida Ibrahim, who teaches at the Cotabato City State Polythecnic College (CCSPC) has this question, if we Muslims are prohibited to greet or celebrate Christmas, does it follows that we are prohibited too to receive Christmas bonus during December? There is no categorical answer to this question since every Muslims and nonMuslim government and private employees are mandated by law to receive their Christmas bonuses. However, Aleem Said, who is a more practical and lenient Islamic scholar said, there is no harm in extending Christmas greetings or New Year‘s greetings as long as it is for the purposes of socialization and not for religious purposes. JANNARAL | A11

Opinion

Punchline ALI G. MACABALANG

here seems to be a conflict between ibada (ideal deeds in Islam) and career service principles. Ibada-related feats should be kept between the doers and Allah (s.w.t.) and not heralded, lest the divine rewards for the good acts will vanish. On the other hand, the government‘s transparency policy obliges public servants to unveil to the public all their activities that involved public funds. The issue may appear trivial. But for the officials of the Bangsamoro autonomous region‘s transitional governance, this stands as an imperative matter to ponder on,

especially in pursuit of their commitment for moral governance. The public – comprising skeptics, critics and supporters – closely monitor the BARMM operation as to whether or not the commitment is going to be realized. In two occasions, BARMM executive Secretary and Environment Minister Abdulraof ―Sammy Gambay‖ Macacua had confessed to journalists including me about their mixed feelings in conveying through the media their initial feats in the context of Islamic tenet on ibada. .‖Apart from regular programs and thrusts, we are also embarking on humanitarian activities such as

My Legal Point BAYAN G. BALT

he purpose of transition is to prepare a politically unstable region to Democratic and stable political entity, thru election processes. Some says, the transition period should be three (3) years or less. In the case of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of the BARMM, its interim members are requesting for another three (3) more years from June 2022 to June 2025 or a total of six (6) years from 2019, invoking among others the COVID-19, that may have hampered their work and the government‘s alleged failure to comply with its obligations under the peace agreement, citing the unfinished Decommissioning (Res. No. 332 of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority). Since the purpose of transition period is to bring back an undemocratic non- elected officials into democratically elected officials, an election

must be held soon, some says the more you prolong the transition period, the more you shift to authoritarian rule devoid of people‘s mandate. In Libya, the warring parties signed a Peace Agreement on 13 November 2020 and agreed that the transitional government election will be on 24 December 2021, the transition period is less than two (2) years (www.france24.com.middle e ast). In Sudan, it was reported that the transition period is three (3) years and three (3) months, the agreement reached in July 5, 2019 set the election on 2022 led by the Transitional Military Council (TMC) members for the first 21 months and a civilian member of the Sovereignty Council for the following 18 months (Wikipedia). Likewise, the Philippines has undergone transitional period from the Marcos dictatorship to President Corazon C. Aquino

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

Conflict in Ibada and Public Service tenets providing cash aids and relief materials to needy constituents. Initially, we thought of keeping the grants of assistance untold for fear that the barakah (Divine rewards) will be eroded,‖ Macacua said. But in one of the occasions, I argued with Macacua that abiding fully by their fear is affront to government policy for transparency in all state-funded undertakings. Besides, I said that a public official should opt for niyat (intention) that heralding the delivery of goods and services especially in ideal fashion is meant to inspire other people to follow suit or replicate. Similar fate The incumbent chancellor of the Mindanao State Uni-

versity-General Santos campus, Dr. Anshari Ali, similarly faces the dilemma. Before we crossed paths last December, I had been hearing many feedbacks about unprecedented improvements and reforms his almost two-year administration has achieved in a fashion that earned for him citations as exemplary educator from local and foreign entities, including the UNNESCO. The accolades reportedly came one after another as subordinate officials and workers of the MSUGenSan campus publicized Dr. Ali‘s feats in their official publications and website. The satellite campus‘ website is accessed regularly by

dozens of searchers, possibly including the entities that awarded him in separate ceremonies. It was during my personal meeting with Dr. Ali last Dec. 8 that I learned a lot of human interest stories about his reign that I deem worth drumbeating for the purpose of inspiring other government officials to replicate. Of course, I know that Dr. Ali knows more about the intricacies of the relationship between Philippine government‘s policies and Islamic philosophes in Islam. He is a post-graduate degree in Islamic studies and, in fact, a Sha‘riah Law practitioner and professor. Allahu alam [only God know]. AGM

Putting things in the right perspective, the BTA’s transition extension regime. After the February 1986 People‘s power that brought President Aquino to Malacañang, she suspended the 1973 Marcos Constitution and order the crafting of the 1987 Constitution. After the later Constitution‘s ratification in 2 February 1987, an election for new members of Congress was held on May 1987. (Chronology of the 1987 Phil. Constitution). Crystal clear, the transition period from Marcos Dictatorship to the new Aquino regime was one (1) year and little three (3) months. Some critics argued that the present leadership in the BARMM, whose officials are not elected by the people being major stakeholders become a source of political instability, a situation resulting to inequitable distribution of powers and economic imbalance and to the extent unstable peace and order. Stated otherwise, a dictatorship is in the offing, as one Minister preside three (3)

major ministries (DepEd, CHED an TESDA, Sec. 8, (f) Article XVI) the same is true in other ministries (Energy and DAF, Sec. 8, (k), Article XVI), effectively depriving other qualified professionals from other tribes the right of participation in said major agencies. Unofficial report of disgruntled MILF members joining the MNLF or BIFF, favored appointment of teachers and other officials and questionable distribution of infra. funds among LGUS in the BARMM become a serious concern among stakeholders. As one political scientist argued, that ―appointed officials in an elective office are threat to democracy, they exercise absolute powers and are not answerable to the people whose loyalty is to the appointing authority‖, (the principle of political legislation). Further said, the concept of a government having a legitimate mandate to govern via the fair winning of a democratic election is a cen-

tral idea of representative democracy. Otherwise stated, a nation lead by leaders without the benefit of elections has no right to govern. As define exactly, this principle find basis under Article 21 of the United Nations (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights that‖ The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of the government‖, (Cited in Drexel Law Review, Thomas R. Kline School of Law). At any rate, prolong transition is a monopoly of political and economic powers leading to nowhere, other than political instability. ————————— For comments: Email me at bayanbalt@yahoo.com Atty. Bayan G. Balt is former Chapter President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP-Marawi City and Lanao del Sur, 2013-2015), Chairman of the Ranao Federal State Movement, (RFSM) and Pres. Of the Alliance of Regional Coalitions Against People’s Poverty (ARCAPP).

NCMFA | from Page A4

2020 calamities magnify NCMF ingenuities amid fund limit through Usec. Zamsamin Ampatuan to the NCMF‘s conducts of related trainings for affected Muslim farmers in the country. Datu Ramos said the emergencies in 2020 had toughened the close bonding of NCMF workers in

delivering services, and bolstered their ingenuities in addressing urgent situations. He expressed hope that in 2021, the NMCF and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officialdoms will have strong-

er coordinated efforts for the welfare of close to 12 Muslim Filipinos scattered across the country. He said things ―it will be best‖ if the BARMM government can chip-in some funds for the NCMF operations, noting in jest that P500-million could just be a ―chicken feed‖ from the autonomous governance to yield through the commission. AGM

World News

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

Washington, D.C. riots spread to other US states

New coronavirus strain found in 41 countries, territories

By ANADOLU AGENCY

NKARA: US President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Kansas Statehouse and the Georgia Capitol on Wednesday after breaching the Capitol building. Protestors were moving inside the first floor of Topeka's capitol rotunda, FOX4 News reported, citing eyewitnesses. Capitol police took their place in the building and protestors are remaining peaceful at this time, according to the TV channel. Separately, alleged militia members gathered outside the Georgia Capitol, and State Secretary Brad Raffensperger along with senior staff have been evacuated, according to Washington Post reporter Amy Gardner. The US Senate recessed an Electoral College debate after angry protestors stormed the Washington, D.C. Capitol building, forcing a lockdown by police. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a curfew starting at 6 p.m.

GENEVA: Proliferation of the highly contagious novel coronavirus strain, first detected in Britain, has now been confirmed in 41 countries and territories, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its Covid-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update on Tuesday evening.

CAPITOL BREACH. US President Donald Trump’s supporters gather outside the Capitol building in Washington D.C., United States on January 6, 2021. Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol as lawmakers were set to sign off Wednesday on Presidentelect Joe Biden's electoral victory in what was supposed to be a routine process headed to Inauguration Day. (Tayfun Coşkun/Anadolu) (2300GMT). The incident happened an hour after Vice President Mike Pence announced that he rejected Trump's demand that he interferes in Congress's counting of Electoral College votes. The largely pro for-

ma meeting will eventually declare Presidentelect Joe Biden the winner of the Nov. 3 presidential contest, although it will be significantly dragged out as some Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate have raised objec-

tions. Trump took to his favorite medium to express disappointment with his vice president's decision, but he later called on protestors to stay peaceful and urged them to "go home now." ANADOLU

Biden denounces ‘extremist’ Trumpsters in Capitol WASHINGTON: US President-elect Joe Biden sternly denounced ‖extremist‖ Trump supporters that stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, telling rioters to return home to ―allow the work of democracy to go forward.‖ The Capitol was overrun earlier in the day as lawmakers were set to convene a joint session of Congress that is traditionally a mundane affair of Electoral College vote counting. Instead, chaotic scenes of thousands of rioters clashing with police outside of the federal legislature gave way to even more pandemonium as the mob overwhelmed law enforcement, breached the Capitol‘s doors and windows, and eventually made their way to the Senate floor. Biden said the riot was ―an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings.‖ ―At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we‘ve

US Vice President Joe Biden. seen in modern times; an assault on the citadel of liberty: the Capitol itself; an assault on the people‘s representatives and the Capitol Hill police,‖ Biden said in nationally televised remarks in which he urged Trump to go on television to tell his supporters to leave the Capitol. ―Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America, do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent. Its disorder. Its chaos. It borders on sedition, and it must end now,‖ he added. Security was seen on photos posted to so-

cial media drawing pistols as rioters attempted to breach the House chamber where the voting counting was to take place. At least one woman was shot amid the ongoing pandemonium, according to video footage aired on television. It is unclear who fired the shot. She is in critical condition, per reports. Multiple police officers have also been injured, according to reports. The grim scenes are an unprecedented stain on the US‘s peaceful transfer of power. Trump and his political allies have for months alleged that the election he lost to Biden by 7 million votes was

rigged, stirring emotions among his supporters with conspiracy theories that have been repeatedly rejected in court. The Justice Department also found no evidence to support his claims of widespread voter fraud. Shortly after Biden went on national television, Trump posted a video message on Twitter, to maintain his false allegations while calling on his supporters ―to go home now.‖ ―We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, and we have to respect our great people and law and order. We don‘t want anybody hurt,‖ said Trump. Trump‘s tweet was quickly flagged by Twitter, with a warning label stating that ―This claim of election fraud is disputed, and this Tweet cannot be replied to, Retweeted, or liked due to a risk of violence.‖ The White House said the National Guard ―is on the way‖ to the scene ―along with other federal protective services‖ at Trump‘s direction. Anadolu

"As of 5 January 2021, the VOC-202012/01 variant, initially detected in the United Kingdom, has been detected in a small number of cases in 40 other countries/territories/areas in five of the six WHO regions, and the 501Y.V2 variant, initially detected in South Africa, in six other countries/ territories/areas," the update said. According to the WHO bulletin, over the past week -from December 28 to January 3- the number of people infected with Covid-19 increased globally by 4,035,226, and the number of deaths by 76,017. Most of the new infections were detected in the Americas -1,935,621. Europe is in second place (1,553,332), and Southeast Asia, third (208,592). Europe’s mortality statistics are the highest: 32,898 patients died in seven days. North America and South America are second (32,283), Southeast Asia, third (3,756). The United States ranks first in the world in terms of the number of new infections per week 1,325,424. Further on the list are Great Britain (343,784), Brazil (252,018), Russia (186,539), India (136,115), Germany (124,808), Italy (102,442), Turkey (98,662), South Africa (93,978) and France (91,595). The highest death rate in seven days was recorded in the United States (17,239), followed by Brazil (4,923), Mexico (4,670), Germany (4,494), Great Britain (4,165), Russia (3,728), Italy (3,365), South Africa (2,654), France (2,346) and Poland (2,001). On December 14, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. Hancock said preliminary analysis indicated that the newly-discovered virus strain was spreading faster than any of those exposed previously. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told an urgent news conference on December 19 that according to the current findings the new strain might be 70 percent more contagious. He added British experts had not yet found any proof that the virus mutation was fraught with a greater risk of lethal outcome. The South African authorities on December 21 said the second wave of the pandemic was due to a mutated coronavirus, detected in the south of the country in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, Eastern Cape Province on the Indian Ocean. Local scientists say the new strain harms mostly young people. TASS

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Muslim World

MUSLIM KINGS AND PRINCES

Special Feature

His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein of Hashemite of Kingdom of Jordan

is Majesty King Abdullah II is the 43rd generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. King Abdullah assumed his constitutional powers as King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on February 7,1999, the day his father, the late King Hussein, passed away. Born in Amman on January 30, 1962, His Majesty is the eldest son of the late King Hussein and has four brothers and six sisters. King Abdullah began his education at the Islamic Educational College and received his secondary education at St. Edmund‘s School in Surrey, England, Eaglebrook School in Massachusetts, then at Deerfield Academy in the United States of America. In 1980, King Abdullah entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, where he received his military education. King Abdullah attended Oxford University in 1984, undergoing a one-year Special Studies course in International Politics and World Affairs. Upon returning home, His Majesty continued his military path, gaining experience and working his way to the rank of Captain and the Commander of a Tank Company in the 91st Armored Brigade. From 1986-1987, also as Captain, His Majesty was attached to the Royal Jordanian Air Force‘s Helicopter Anti-Tank Wing as a Tactics Instructor, where he received qualification as a Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot. In 1987, King Abdullah attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and was in residence as a MidCareer Fellow. He undertook Advanced Study and Research in International Affairs under the auspices of the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program. Upon returning home, His Majesty was assigned to the 17th Tank Battalion, 2nd Royal Guards Brigade and in the summer of 1989, he became Battalion 2nd-in-Command, with the rank of Major. In 1991, King Abdullah was the Armor Representative in the Office of the Inspector General. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel at the end of the year and assumed command of the 2nd Armored Car Regiment in the 40th Brigade. Upon handing over the battalion in January 1993, King Abdullah was promoted to full Colonel and assigned as deputy commander of the Jordanian Special Forces. In June 1994 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and assumed command of the Royal Jordanian Special Forces, after having served as Deputy Commander for six months. His Majesty was appointed Commander of the Special Operations Command on October 1997, and in May 1998, he was promoted to the rank of Major General. (to be continued)

A family photo from HRH the Crown Prince’s Commissioning Parade at Sandhurst. London, 11 August 2017 (Royal Hashemite Court Archives)

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

KSA-Qatar reconciliation is a relief for the Muslim world By ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

hanks to Salaam Radio, the state-owned Philippine media outlet for making a live interview with us Tuesday to talk on the reopening of borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The breakthrough event happened one day before the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit takes place in KSA in the attendance of Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. I was in Saudi Arabia for two decades as bilingual writer of its leading English daily, Arab News and sister Arabic newspapers. ―Saudi Arabia reopened its airspace, land and sea borders with Qatar on Monday, in a breakthrough agreement aimed at ending the three-year diplomatic dispute with Doha‖ said Arab News report. KSA ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Abdullah Albussairy has acknowledged our initiative through text messages in Arabic yesterday. Answering to the significance of such reunion among others, I told Salam Radio that Philippines and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) would definitely benefit from such move economically. We are now comfort-

able in dealing with two brotherly nations. They are all of great help to our people. Saudi Arabia is a heavy weight player in the region, in the Middle East and had historically huge Investments in the Philippines in oil sector and agriculture in Mindanao. KSA is employing thousands of Filipinos in all fields. Saudi Arabia and Philippines have inked US$500 million business deals during the State visit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Middle East. This needs to be revived by a trusted friend of KSA. Both countries (KSA and Qatar) are Islamic countries and interested

to aid their brothers in faith in the country through livelihood and Investment partnerships. They are eyeing opportunities in BARMM for a long range investment opportunity especially in food security and manpower. Qatar officials and its top business delegation already visited the Philippines several times for a serious investment talks and in fact some Qatari are already in the Philippines market for the same. Qataris are also into Islamic Banking business and had serious talks with Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines since the beginning of Duterte

administration. I was my self in Saudi Arabia in February last year and was invited by Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority (SAMA) to Saudi Banks high profile forum and exhibition where I had meetings with major bankers. Some of them supposed to be here last year itself. Unfortunately Covid-19 prevented them to do so. In conclusion, the reconciliation move spearheaded by Kuwait is very welcome development for the Muslim world and BARMM that would benefit from the generosity of the two GCC-rich countries. AHMT

Bong Go extends relief aids for QC fire victims; 79th Malasakit Center opens in Jolo

OTABATO CITY: At least 101 families affected by the recent fire in Quezon City‘s Barangay Culiat have received relief assistance from the Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence ―Bong‖ Go in pursuit of the Davao lawmaker‘s slogan, ‗Walang tulog ang serbisyo.‘ The beneficiaryfamilies involving 352 individuals including Muslims received meals, medicines, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks, face shields and even bicycles for household heads on Jan.5, accord-

By ALI G. MACABALANG

ing to a post in the senator‘s Facebook page. The aid recipients were adversely affected by conflagration that hit a residential area at Purok 2 of Baranay Culiat in Quezon City Dec. 29, 2020 night. The fire started at

around 8:00 p.m., reaching the first alarm by 8:27 p.m. and the fifth alarm by 9:00 p.m., and was contained two hours later. ―As I have said numerous times, I will not limit myself to serving as a Senator only. As pub-

lic servant, magseserbisyo po ako sa inyo kahit saan man kayo sa mundo para tugunan ang inyong mga suliranin, pakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing, at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,‖ Go told the fire victims via live telecast. ―Para sa amin, walang tulog ang serbisyo, lalo na sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan. Kahit anumang problema ang inyong kinakaharap — nasunugan, tinamaan ng lindol, apektado ng pagputok ng bulkan, nabahaan, BONG | A11

News

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

A11

BONG | from Page A10

Bong Go extends relief aids for QC fire victims; 79th Malasakit Center opens In Jolo lahat ng klaseng krisis — handa akong tumulong at magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,‖ he added. Personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed and validated possible beneficiaries among the fire victims for the livelihood and scholarship assistance, respectively, from the government. Go urged beneficiaries suffering from medical conditions to seek assistance in the nearby Malasakit Centers located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children‘s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and East Avenue Medical Center, all in Quezon City. 97th Malasakit Center opened in Sulu A day after dispersing the relief goods for the

fire victims, Senator Go‘s staff workers flew to Jolo, Sulu and joined Governor Sakur Tan in inaugurating the newly established Malasakit Center in the town. The new entity, located at the Sulu Provincial Hospital, is the 79th in the chain of Malasakit Centers established across the country through Senator Go‘s initiative. ―Malaking tulong ang Malasakit Center sa ating mga kababayan sa Jolo dahil hindi na nila kailangan pang lumayo at dumayo sa iba pang karatig-bayan para sa kanilang mga pangangailangang medikal. Katuwang ang DOH, DSWD, PCSO at PhilHealth, mas pinadali ang pag-proseso ng mga dokumento at walang mahabang pila ang hatid nito sa ating mga kababayan,‖ Go‘s office said a Facebook post. AGM

MALASAKIT CENTER IN JOLO. Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan ceremonially opens the 79th Malasakit Center in Jolo town on Jan. 6. (Contributed)

JANNARAL | from Page A7

Gregorian Calendar vs. Hijra Calendar, which one is preferable? Now going back to the topic on Amun Jadid or Muslim New Year, another fraternity brother also in the Alpha Sigma Phi-1845 admitted that Amun Jadid seems to be not on the agenda of the Muslims unlike the New Year celebrated on January 1 of the Gregorian calendar. Antonio Yunos-Ijin, a retired employee of MSU-TCTO in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi said for the people to recall the celebration every time Amun Jadid comes every month of Muharram in the Hijra calendar, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)

now headed by Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan should intiate the printing of thousands of Hijra calendar and distribute it free to all the people in the five component provinces like Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). I can recall the forerunner of NCMF that was the Ministry of Muslim Affairs (MMA) headed by the late Admiral Romulo M. Espaldon used to print thousands of copies of Hijra calendar to be distributed free

to the people in Mindanao though there was No ARMM yet and usually distributed in bulk to the different Masjids and Madrasa for free citculation. PostScript: As Managing Editor and Columnist of Batanes To Tawi-Tawi, I welcome Atty. BAYAN G. BALT with his column My Legal Point as an added source of legal fountain. I have not met yet Atty. Balt in person. But I have heard his name long before as among the legal luminaries of the Bangsamoro Region. His maiden column in the

Philippine Muslim Today touched on the topic of extension of the term of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) by Congress from the year 2022 to 2025. He said the Congressional extension of the BTA‘s term does not cover extension of the term of its officials (Members of Parliament). Atty. Balt emphasized that it is crystal clear that public office like the BTA is an office or instrumentality of the government. He added it is distinct and separate from the members of the parliament and other officials holding

said office. Otherwise, stated the power of Congress to pass a law extending the term of the BTA exclude the power to extend the powers to extend the term or appointments of its members. ―Any law to the contrary will violate the principle of separation of powers; simply the power to appoint is an executive fiat and cannot be exercised by Congress which is simply passing a law,‖ Atty. Balt emphasized. For your Comments and Suggestions, please send an email to: munir1845media@gmail.com For your comments and suggestions please send an E-mail to: munir1845media@gmail.com

LAWYER | from Page A3

Lawyer simplifies, sells ‘book on libel law’ for fellow scribes, ailing kin’s therapy needs The author, more popular among peers and friends as ―Toto Causing,‖ is a former sports writer, beat reporter and copy editor in the group of Journal publications, which include the Times Journal and People‘s Journal. Causing‘s book ―timely provides guidance‖ to journalists, reporters, bloggers and

even subscribers of onlinebased emailing and social media accounts and pages on FB, Twitter, as well as to individuals linked by shortmessaging (texting) ―to be more aware of the facts about libel; the law pertaining to it and the Supreme Court interpretation and definition of libel and its elements, from decid-

ed cases or jurisprudence (now) part of the laws of the land,‖ Maulana said. ―Toto writes in such a popular style that effectively reduces the language of the law into lay terms easily understood by non-lawyers like most journalists, writers and social media subscribers are,‖ Maulana added.

He said what touched him most in ―Toto‘s endeavor this time, is that he is publishing and selling online (at a very low price-tag) this (second) edition of his book to help raise fund for a cancer patient, his sister, of Arlene Priscilla ‗Ging‘ Cataluña Causing, who is undergoing sessions of chemotherapy

and Herceptin. As a widow to a cancerpatient wife, I feel more sympathetic in Toto‘s cause. Toto also touched me more ins his saying that the rest of the proceeds of his book sale will be kept for the use of other journalists‘ concerns in health and in facing pressures from libel suits amid lack of money. AGM

MINDA | from Page A4

MinDA pursues 4 agenda, sustains push for Bangsamoro Piñol said the Agenda No. 2 involves the furtherance of the MinDA-initiated solarpowered water supply launched last year in Taraka, Lanao del Sur, with the host local government obtaining a P215-million soft loan from DBP. ―The Taraka Solar-Water Supply and Irrigation is the first project implemented un-

der the Mindanao Water Supply Program which was launched on Dec. 6, 2018 to provide water for drinking and agriculture in all areas in Mindanao,‖ the MinDA chief said, hinting at replicating the venture in other parts of Mindanao. Under another agenda, he said, the MinDA will assist towns in Zamboanga Sibugay

in ―producing quality dried fish starting this year‖ as the agency establishes the firstever Steam-Powered Fish Dryer in the province. He cited Olutanga, one of three towns in Olutanga Island of Zamboanga Sibugay, as a base of dried-fish processing to be assisted by MinDA for possible replication in coastal areas of Mindanao,

including Bangsamoro communities. Constituting as Agenda 2021 No. 4 is the MinDA‘s sustained backing of sorghum farming and production in Agusan del Sur. Sec. Pinol said he and Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr., also a farmer, led officials in a ceremonial harvest on Jan. 3 of

the sorghum planted last year with seeds provided by MinDA. The seeds were donated by Scott Seeds of Hereford Texas through its owner Coby Kriegshauzer last year and distributed to several farmers groups and local government units in Mindanao as part of the Livestock and Poultry Industry Development Program of MinDA, he said. AGM

TAGO | from Page A5

Arabic-speaking teachers appointment proves moral governance Such teachings and principles have indeed paid off providing opportunities for not only Bangsamoro people but also for those who seek a progressive community. Cotabato City and 63 Baranggays are now under BARMM supervi-

sion as live example. Despite the call for corrective measures from among the sector suggesting that the previous Arabic teachers in the pilot or alive madaris should be absorbed. With long experience in

the field and equipped with eligibility requirements they could be very useful and helpful in the ministry‘s endeavor to continue their services. Being myself a graduate of Arabic Literature, major in mass communication from a

Cairo-based university, Al Azhar University I highly value and salute Minister Iqbal move and for his high sense of Islamic value and education. This is tantamount to reviving the dream and objec-

tives of the MILF founding Chairman, the Late Salamat Hashim, Allahu Yarhamuh and the will of Ulama. This is obviously a clear manifestation of what the BARMM termed ―Moral‖ government AHMT

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Tourism

Vol. I, No. 30 | January 8-14, 2021 (Jumad ‘ul Awwal 23-29, 1442)

A Slice of Life of a Badjao Woman (II)

Budi, a Maranao dish of fish eggs

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

"Bangsamoro Halal Dish"

or Luiza, the Badjao lady, life is a constant struggle despite finishing her 2-year diploma college degree. She remained unemployed and has to fend for herself and family. Having three kids and a husband (who rely on a daily catch of fish for an added income) she still has to accept multiple laundry works to let both ends meet. According to her, discrimination (on her tribe) still played largely why she cannot land a job as „civil servant‟ to be able to get a permanent job and earn a decent wage to support her family. Sometime in the 60‟s, this writer had had the experience of having classmates who were Badjaos. One male and a female. They were there because the Oblates of Mary (OMI) of Notre Dame Schools paid for their schooling and lodging. We were classmates from grades 5 to 6. The two were pulled-out from a sister school located in Tongkalang, SangaSanga coastal area some eight kilometers from Notre Dame of Bongao Main Campus here in the downtown area. It was quite an experience having them as classmates. Just like most of us, they could „read‟ and their „handwritings‟ were as normal as we were then. They were average pupils and will stand up when called for recitation. The Badjao boy did not proceed to grade six because his family needs him to help his parents earn a living through fishing and collecting firewoods and other household chores. Meanwhile, the badjao girl managed to graduate her elementary education and marched with the batch on graduation day. We learned that she was given a scholarship to continue her education at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and was groomed to take a collegiate course in the United States of America. (To be continued in the next issue…)

WITH MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

are for eggs? Yes but what follows I am going to discuss is what is known as the price jewel for most of the Maranao foods, the budi dish or fish eggs. If caviar is the rare and expensive foods among the Europeans like the Russians, being eggs of the sturgeon fish, then for the Maranaos Budi is not only found in their native Lanao del Sur, Budi, as Maranao dish which means fish eggs are usually sold in Maranao restaurants. Thus, although very rare budi is also sold if one is lucky enough at the Maranao restaurants in the Quiapo, Manila district. Budi is known as ―Pugha‖or fish eggs in Tausug culinary. But for the Maranao chefs they cook the Budi really as specialty foods. Hence, like the caviar, which is a food consisting of salt-cured roe of the family Acipenseridae. Like the Budi, Caviar is considered a delicacy and is eaten as a garnish or a spread. Traditionally, the term Caviar refers only to roe from wild sturgeon in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea.

Badjao women on the o to search for the day’s family’s meals.

A typical Badjao man mending his fishing gear after a day’s work.

Badjao kids scouring the sea floor using an improvised ‘float’ made of sacks filled with discarded styropores.

The taste of Budi is quite earthy and grainy in texture which compliments to the Palapa spliced in it. It is accomplished with turmeric or luyang dilaw and gata or coconut milk to complete the flavor. As mentioned earlier, the dish is considered as a price jewel for most of Maranaos for its very exquisite tastes like most of the native Maranao foods and it is very rarely found in the market. Ingredients: Budi or fish eggs Turmeric or grinded luyang dilaw Coconut milk or gata Salt Pepper Palapa Onion leaves Procedure: Cook the budi or fish eggs in frying pan with a medium heat. Place the coconut milk or Gata and mix the budi inside the frying pan with few amounts of onion leaves. Then add the grind turmeric and mix the Coconut milk very well with the turmeric. Finally, add a few amount of salt and pepper including the mainstay Palapa. As soon as the budi is cooked you can now remove it from the frying pan and place it in a bowl after adding some amount of the Palapa condiment. The delicious budi is now ready to be served as a price jewel among Maranao foods. Maria Fhebie Ortil