3 groups push for federalism

Official says they want to stop the spread of wrong ideologies as part of the fight against terrorism.

Saying it will resolve the long-running conflict in Mindanao, some Christian and Muslim organizations are pushing for federalism.

Datu Abubacar Gunang of the National Muslim Commission in Central Visayas said that federalism will not only solve bickering over differences, but will also lessen terror attacks.

“It will help minimize, if not stop, terrorism because it will allow each region to deliberately express their identities. We have different sensitivities that we must respect. We can unite ourselves as Filipinos, but let’s subdivide ourselves among regions,” he said.

Muhammad Arafat Lozano, Islamic Propagation Society of Cebu president, shared the sentiment and believed that everyone can still co-exist.

He also said that a federal government can easily address corruption and economic concerns, among others.

It will also pave the way for more regional developments as it will put a stop to centralization, he added.

“This will all be made possible if the grassroots level are properly educated. Respect for others will be attained once the stigma against Islam is stopped and Muslims also learn by heart that they should not misinterpret our religion,” Lozano said.

The Muslim leaders condemned the ongoing armed clash between the Maute group and government forces in Marawi City, saying that it is against the teachings of God.

Gunang, a native of Marawi, said that violence is not created by Muslims but fanatics who have a “twisted concept about the religion.”

Voice of Islam president Ustadz Najeb Razul Fernandez, for his part, said that federalism is just a political subdivision and will not divide the Filipino community as a whole.

“Despite this division, I know that our laws will protect our rights,” he said.

This includes the anti-discrimination ordinance that the Cebu City Government passed in 2012.

“The division will be mostly on governanance and economic development, but I wish that the people will see beyond that,” he said.