This couple finds peace during troubled times
A Filipino couple recall when Marawi city was a tranquil haven
dubai — The Taurac couple — Ahmad Jumar and Inshirah — received a precious gift from God two months ago: a bouncy baby girl they named Safiyyah. This year is her first Ramadan and her parents invited us to share with them this memorable occasion at their home in Al Baraha, Deira.
We arrived at half past six, and the house was filled with some of their close friends. Inshira, who hails from Marawi City in southern Philippines, prepared a simple yet bountiful homecooked Iftar featuring some of her the Maranao community’s best recipes. Inshirah introduced to us her baby Safiyyah, whose name in Arabic means “pure”, “best friend” and “untroubled”. True to her name, Safiyyah was very serene, unperturbed by the occasional loud voices of people around her busy preparing for Iftar.
While waiting for Adhan, we had a small chat with Jumar and Inshirah as they recalled their childhood memories of Ramadan in their hometown of Marawi. “It was like our baby Safiyyah,” the couple told Khaleej Times. “It was joyful and peaceful. But now, our community is in pain. It is being torn apart by violence,” they said, referring to the ongoing siege of their hometown by the Maute group, a certain terrorist group linked with Daesh.
The Philippines is a majority Christian country, but Marawi is predominantly Muslim.
“I can still recall when we were young, the entire city was lit with dancing lights. At the call of Adhan, everyone was excited and the men would troop to the nearest mosques. Tables filled with food were laid out outside so everyone could invite their neighbour and visitors to share Iftar. After the Taraweeh prayers, everyone would go out, and there were cultural performances and recitations of the Holy Quran,” reminisced Jumar.
“But now, we only hear of air strikes continuously pounding the ground, street fighting, blood baths, and families forced to leave their homes,” he sadly added. Marawi City has made headlines after the Maute group seized the southern city on May 23. According to official reports, nearly 180 people (unofficial count puts the number at over 1,000) have died and thousands of families have been displaced due to heavy fighting between Philippine government forces and the Daesh-linked group.
Jumar gave us his analysis of the Marawi situation. “The Maute cannot describe whatever they’re fighting for as jihad. Because there was never any oppression in the first place. Marawi is the only Islamic city in the country so we were not disallowed to practice Islam. They (Maute) are nothing but a terrorist group supported by politicians and warlords.”
Their family, too, has been affected. “Inshirah’s ancestral house was razed to ground on day one of the siege in Raya Madaya, where the Maute group is still holding ground. Her uncle who went back to recover some stuff is still missing and government forces are still trying to recover the area,” Jumar said.
“This is not the city that we want Safiyyah to see,” Inshirah added. “I have good memories of it from when I was young. My brothers and I sneaked out to get our Dad’s car to visit nearby villages. It was safe to walk at night. People were happy, the streets were illuminated with sparking lights, much like Al Rigga during the Dubai Shopping Festival.”
Jumar noted: “Our dream for Safiyyah is to be exposed to a peaceful Muslim community. Here in Dubai, we have that. We share Iftar together and we live in peace. But in our hometown now, people have almost nothing to eat or drink.” The couple said all Filipino Muslims are against the terrorist group. “This Ramadan, we fervently pray that the old glory of the beautiful Islamic City of Marawi be restored, for families who have been separated to get back their normal lives, and the old hustle and bustle of the city to come back,” the couple said in unison.
Our conversation is cut short by the call of Adhan. Ahmad and his male friends went to the nearby Eid Musallah for Maghrib, while the women prayed at home. Safiyah was still in Inshirah’s arms, safe and sound. Her sweet, contagious smile brings hope to her family that soon, there will be peace in the homeland.