Youth Solidarity for Peace and Progress holds 2nd Ramadhan Symposium

• Jun 26, 2016
• Z. Mohammad, Luwaran
• HITS: 3922

On the night of the 23rd of June 2016 (Thursday), the Youth Solidarity for Peace and Progress (YoSoPP) conducted the “2nd Ramadhan Islamic Symposium” at Mother Barangay Poblacion,  Cotabato City particularly @J. Marquez National High School participated by 150 individuals. The 1st Ramadhan Symposium was held on June 16, 2016 at the Open Court of Mother Barangay Poblacion 7, Cotabato City.

The program started with a recitation of some verses of the Holy Qurán followed by a welcome address by the District 5 Political Committee Chairman.  He thanked the leadership and members of YoSoPP for conducting the program in their community

Mr. Fahad Tahir introduced the first resource speaker Prof. Raby B. Angkal who lectured on Bangsamoro History.

Prof. Angkal said that the Moro people were living peacefully and independently with Islam as their religion then the dominant religion in the Islands of Luzon and Visayas in early 13th Century but the situation changed drastically after the arrival of the Spaniards who were armed with the sword and the Cross with the sole intention of propagating Christianity and converting the Islamized Moros and the, pagans.

Prof.  Angkal made a lengthy but accurate history of the Bangsamoro People from the time of the Spanish Conquistadores up to signing of the Treaty of Paris where the Spaniards ceded the Philippines to the Americans after the former were defeated in the mock Battle of Manila Bay.

 Prof. Angkal ended his lecture by saying, “Seek knowledge about what your elders fought for, for you to be guided and for the legacy of your seniors from early years until now by defending your land, religion and preserve your identity as Moro people”.

Mr. Hatta Bilon introduced the second resource speaker Uz. Mahmod S. Ahmad, Executive Director of Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI).

Uz. Ahmad explained that the reason why the month of fasting was set in the holy month of Ramadhan is because it is also the month when Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sent down the Holy Qurán. Uz. Ahmad quoted Surah Al-Baqarah verse #183 where Allah says:

“O believers! Fasting is enjoined upon you, as it was enjoined upon those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God”.

According to him, the arrival of the holy month of Ramadhan is like an arrival of a very important visitor that everyone must behave, and is like a Madrasah or school where it teaches right and wrong, patience, good neighborhood, kindness and to be muttaqeen or a cautious person.

"It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allaah, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masakin (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and gives the Zakat, and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqeen" (Surah Al-Baqarah verse #177).

"O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah as is His right to have taqwa. And die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allah." (Surah Aal 'Imraan, 3:102)

"And enjoin As-Salat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salat (prayers)]. We ask not of you a provision (i.e. to give Us something: money, etc.); We provide for you. And the good end (i.e. Paradise) is for the Muttaqeen." (Surah Taa Haa, 20:132)

Before he ended his lecture,  Uz. Mahmod Ahmad motivated the community to increase their good-doings only for Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and eliminate their bad-doings that Allah Subhanahu wa Taala prohibited, for them to be an applicant to be one of the cautious persons (Al-muttaqeen) and for them to enter Paradise (Jannah). 

YoSoPP’s Vice-President Nasiri B. Abas delivered the closing message. He thanked barangay officials Mother Poblacion, other sectors and individuals who supported and contributed to the successful conduct of the program.

The program ended by a recitation of Kaffarat Al-Majlis by Fahad Tahir.

 

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