DAVAO CITY. June 16, 2018 - The Office of the President hosted an " Eid'ul Fitr " dinner with Muslim leaders facilitated by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) held at SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City.
Eid'ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadan wherein the Muslim Faithfuls abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual contact with their legal wives/husbands from dawn to dusk as commanded by Allah (God) in the Noble Qur’an and the Traditions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Fasting during Ramadan is the 3rd Pillar of Islam.
The said event was attended by lawmakers from the two Chambers of Congress, members of the cabinet, top brass officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, ARMM officials, MILF Central Committee led by Al haj Murad Ebrahim, BTC Commissioners headed by Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, and other prominent personalities.
In his message, President Duterte explained the Moro narratives on Bangsamoro aspiration, and the historical injustices suffered by Moro people from foreign and local colonialists.
" The Filipino people should know that it was a Moro (Tausog) by the name of Lapu-Lapu the first defender of the homeland from foreign invaders who imposed Christianity to Luzon and Visayas."
" If not because of this foreign invaders (Spain) all of us are Muslims", he added.
" I will try to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) so that we can now move on to peace and development... The oil in Liguasan Marsh is yours and just make good to it... that is yours," Duterte told the guests at SMX Convention Center.
" I will give to you your homeland and will talk to Misuari to sit and be involved in the talks... In the event that there are hitches in passing the BBL, I will ask Murad to give us time. We don’t fight and I don’t want to wage war against my people. "