Muslim youth: Jihad is purification of self

MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE (MWP)

What is Jihad?

“Jihad is a war. From the point of view of non-Muslims, they think of it as a war. Yes, but it is war with yourself. It is a purification of the self. We don’t know who ISIS are. We don’t know who are behind them,” disclosed Davao-based Silsilah Movement Muslim representative Norasiah Adilao during DC Herald interview Monday, November 23.

In time for the Mindanao Week of Peace 2015 celebration, the young Muslim leader clarified matters on what might suicide bombers think in waging holy war in the name of religion: “Terrorism is not a fight of religion, because if it is, then we will all be into it. The term ‘Jihad’ has been misused. It is holy war of the self on how to become a good muslim.”

Nor, along with his father, Ustadz Mahmod Adilao has been known in working for peace in Mindanao. She works in Silsilah Movement, one among the conveners of MWP this year.

MU-SAYAW PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN

The MWP 2015 celebration kicked off with a mini-concert dubbed: “Musika at Sayaw (Mu-Sayaw) para sa Kapayapaan” which gathered the tri-people of Mindanao, at the gate of ADDU last November 25, 3:30-6:00 PM. Following the theme, ‘Mindanaoans’ Aspirations for Peace,’ Lumads, Christians and Muslims freely expressed their desire for peace through singing and dancing.

Ms. Adilao said that there is no particular group who handles the celebration yet, “the event is a collaboration of different peace groups such as BUC, Silsilah, AFP, and the academe like the Ateneo de Davao University. This is the first time that ADDU is joining the MWP celebration through the school’s community involvement program, theology department, and interreligious institute,” she revealed.

MWP ON REGIONAL LEVEL

In a separate interview, Abp. Emeritus Fernando Capalla said that each diocese has its own celebration. “Davao has one in Ateneo co-sponsored by an interreligious institute, Al-qualam and Davao-based Silsilah Dialogue Movement. In the regional level, the BUC will hold its board meeting in Cagayan de Oro to prepare for its 43rd General Assembly on December 10, 2105.”

Being among BUC’s conveners and the man behind the interreligious dialogue, Abp. Capalla quipped that “Presidents Ramos, Arroyo and Estrada used to issue a presidential directive encouraging every government, civil and religious institution to coordinate with the BUC on this region-wide celebration.”

Despite the current administration’s lack of support to the celebration for more than five years, “we continue our interfaith dialogue for peace. We join other groups in exposing the anomalies and incompetence of the Aquino government…this December 10 assembly will be a form of intra-faith dialogue,” he added.

MWP is an annual celebration which begins on the last Thursday of November which is November 26 and ends on December 2 this year. Click here for the Joint Statement on the Mindanao Week of Peace 2015 courtesy of Lou Solijon.