MANILA – Various Muslim groups in the Philippines have offered their support to authorities to ensure the safety and success of the Papal visit in the country.
A technical working group composed of different religious and civic organizations from Mindanao is now coordinating with the Imam Council of the Philippines to draw out plans on how Muslims can contribute to the historical visit of Pope Francis from January 15 to 19.
Filipino authorities expressed concern over the safety of the Pope following unrest in other parts of the world and possible threats posed by ISIS and al-Qaeda, and other extremist groups.
“The Bangsamoro has already declared affirmative support for the Papal visit and we should stop insinuating threat,” Altifahny Laguindab, a spokesperson for the Bangsamoro media group, said.
Philippine military chief General Gregorio Catapang said the Papal visit “will be the greatest security nightmare that we can have.”
Authorities have cancelled numerous flights in various airports during Pope Francis’ visit and a three-day holiday have been declared in Metropolitan Manila on the duration of his trip which will include Tacloban City and Palo town in Leyte province, one of many areas badly hit by typhoon in the past.
The Alliance of Recruitment Agencies in the Philippines-OFW Foundation, represented by its president, Raisonel Datu Magangcong, also pledged to support government efforts to ensure the safety of the Pope. Magangcong has started a signature campaign among recruitment agencies in support of the historical visit.
Magangcong said they will also appeal the intercession of the Pope in addressing the sad plight of jailed overseas Filipino workers, especially those in death rows, in the Middle East. He is also supporting the global campaign against human trafficking and modern-day slavery and led the signing of the manifesto on “Declaration with the Global Freedom Network: United to end slavery.”
The campaign is “committed to the dignity and freedom that is the birth right of all humankind.”
The Catholic, Anglican, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Orthodox leaders signed the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery at the Vatican on World Day for the Abolition of Slavery. Among those who signed the joint declaration were Pope Francis, Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), Venerable Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chan Khong (representing Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh), The Most Ven. Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana, Chief High Priest of Malaysia; Rabbi Dr. Abraham Skorka, Rabbi Dr. David Rosen, Dr. Abbas Abdalla Abbas Soliman, Undersecretary of State of Al Azhar Alsharif (representing Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar).
And Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi, Sheikh Naziyah Razzaq Jaafar, Special advisor of Grand Ayatollah (representing Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain al Najafi); Sheikh Omar Abboud, Most Reverend and Right Honorable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; and His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew). (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from Salman Ali)
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