Give in to Peace: Another Man on Christian-Muslim’s Unity in Davao

“Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values” (Vatican II, Declaration on the Relation of the Church to non-Christian Religions, no. 3).

Do you know that if we, Catholics, have Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla working zealously for peace in Mindanao, the Islamic community has also their counterpart?

Meet Ustadz Mahmod L. Adilao, one of the recipients of the 2006 Datu Bago Award. His award citation reads, “…for continuously propagating a culture of peace in Mindanao as Regional Chairman of the Ulama League of the Philippines and for working actively for several years with Msgr. Fernando R. Capalla, as a member of the City Chaplaincy Service and Consultant of the Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue.”

Both he and Abp. Capalla combine their giftedness to bring peace to others through the Bishops-Ulama Conference.

Nor Asiah Adilao, Pastor Pal Dumanig, Ustadz Mahmod Adilao, and Cheryl Vilog at the annual Datu Bago awards night.

We are familiar with our own archbishop but of Mahmod, most of us may not be. Let us get to know this gentle and peace loving Muslim brother. Since the Islamic community just marked their month-long Ramadan with their Sugar Feast or Sweet Festival last July 17, we highlight the sweetness of such occasion by bringing to the spotlight this peace advocate.

Mahmod Mala L. Adilao as a Muslim works on his own to promote good relationship among his fellow Muslims, Christians, and other faith traditions. He values the lessons of history. Thus, he cautions that armed struggles only result in shedding blood and endless vindictiveness that destroys the core of society. This surely is the driving force behind his peace initiatives.

Mahmod was born in Masiu, Lanao del Sur on April 13, 1958 to Sultan Rangero Mala Adilao and Hajah Khadija Langco Adilao. He went to Malabang Elementary Pilot School in Lanao del Sur and graduated in 1973. He learned his first Arabic words from a special course in Qur’an in Ma’ahad Philippine Al Islamie in Malabang, Lanao del Sur in 1983.

He was the silent-type as a child, yet was willing to mingle with those who are older than him. It was at this time that he learned the value of cooperation and negotiation.

He finished his high school at Agama Islam Academy, Ganassi, Lanao del Sur. Mahmod completed his BS in Education at Jamiatul Philippine Al Islamiah in Marawi City in 1977.

He is married to Hajah Noraya Amina and gifted with three children. Asliah, Nor Asia, and Mahmod, Jr.

In 1997 he came to Davao to continue sharing the Islamic values. Educating the people was his original intent that later on became his foundation in building peace initiatives. His work has contributed in a large measure towards the growth and development of Davao City.

Mahmod worked closely with the Philippine Interfaith Network for Children and the Visayan Foundation, Inc., in effective coordination and networking against trafficking. He is also the first Muslim who received the Commendation in the Campaign against Illegal Drugs in November 2004.

With his support, the Islamic communities in Davao grew from one (Maranao) to five namely: Tausug, Sama, Maguindanao, Iranun, and Kalagan.

His work expanded through the establishment of the Ulama League of the Philippines composed of different Muslim Tribes in Davao City in 1984. He also founded the Mindanao Ulama League of the Philippines, Mindanao Region, based in Davao City.

His initiative was brought to a bigger and wider coverage when the Bishops-Ulama Conference came into fruition in 1996. He became a founding member and spearheaded the organization with three sub-region offices with their own officials: Region 1 from Tawi-tawi, Bongao, Zamboanga, Pagadian City; Region II from the whole province of Davao, Maguindanao, Cotabato; Region III from Metro Manila, Cebu, Cagayan, and Marawi City. Each region has its regional chairman based in Davao.

The Bishop-Ulama Conference has notable achievements. The coming together in one space of Christians and Muslims for which Mahmod and Abp. Capalla are members is a great step towards the longing for peace.

“Everybody is a friend to me. Across all faith…I have no enemy. I am happy that the Muslim community was recognized in the community…may my years be extended as I will continue to serve and to do good for myself, my family, and my community.”

For Nor Asia, his father’s humility and leadership made him not only a good family man, but a peace advocate through inter-faith, as well. “He doesn’t show that he is superior. He knows how to listen and accommodate suggestions. As a concerned father, he wanted his family to be one in celebrating Eid’l Fit’r in prayer, and in sharing our foods such as sweet watermelons with our neighbors.”

Currently, Mahmod is one of the five Imams (Pastors) of the Muslim Communities in Davao City. He serves as the Vice-President of the Council of Leaders who are active in inter-religious dialogue.

He continues to be a friend to all and a lover of peace while telling everyone to give peace a chance.

Peace is indeed a cooperative endeavor. We live in one space: Earth. We live in one country: Philippines. Whether one is Catholic or Muslim or whatever faith one belongs, we are all commissioned to take care of this space called earth. And the only way to preserve it is living in peace. But peace can only come when we recognize that everyone is my brother or sister with the same human needs.

Do you know that you can also participate in the peace process pushed by the Bishop-Ulama Conference by simply be what you are?

You are a Christian and by that name you bring the Peace of Christ to others. That is, if you live in His Peace. So, try peace. Take a bite. (Nena Quijano | Cheryl Vilog)