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(SDN) — In a world wracked by disasters and wreaked by violence, prayers, unity in purpose, and oneness in spirits may just spell the difference for peace and harmony to thrive.
Thus, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) headed by Secretary Guilding “Gene” A. Mamondiong has sent out an appeal to Filipinos to pray for peace, forgiveness, patience, love of country, and poverty eradication.
The appeal came as the NCMF is occupied with the Hajj 2023 operation as it sent some 7,500 Filipino pilgrims to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on a journey of peace, forgiveness, love of God, harmony, and brotherhood.
A five-day religious event, the pilgrimage falls on the 26th to 30th of June. Hundreds of thousands of this year’s Hajj will perform the religious rituals in Makkah, Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.
While not a major part of the Hajj, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will also be a convergence point for the pilgrims as they visit and pray at the Islamic house of worship named after the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
In a press conference at the NCMF on June 17, Mamondiong, this year’s “Amerul Hajj” (head of Philippine Hajj Mission) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Filipinos to join together in prayers, whether Muslim, Christian, or other faith community.
He spoke through NCMF Commissioner Yusoph J. Mando, who read a prepared statement before a gathered members of the news media at the Commission’s Central Office, Jocfer Building, along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
“Allah the Almighty, God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour your blessings upon all of us, Muslims, Christians, the Indigenous People (IP) and all of mankind.
“Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation, that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all,” the NCMF statement reads.
The NCMF leadership mentioned in particular in its appeal for prayers the “Khatibs” (one who delivers a sermon during Friday prayers), Imams (prayer leaders), as well as all Muslim religious leaders or scholars (ulama) to include in their prepared sermon or “Khutba” a portion concerning peace, forgiveness, patience, love of country, and the eradication of poverty.
The Commission also appealed to non-Muslim religious leaders to include in their sermons a statement about peace, forgiveness, patience, love of country and poverty eradication.
“Almighty Allah, God of all creation, bring justice and peace to our world. Teach us to be peacemakers. Guide us in our pursuit of justice and the common good. Inspire us to welcome all, forgive all, and love all. Supportive of each other, for the sake of your dominion,” the NCMF’s sought prayers said.
Mando, the spokesperson of the Commission, cited the prayers’ goal for all Filipinos.
“We envisioned a society that is God-fearing, drug-free, crime-free, corruption-free, insurgency-free and poverty-free. A united nation whose advocacy is peace, God-centered, prosperous and charitable,” he emphasized. — E.K. Usman (✓)