2 Muslim youth cited in Asean events

COTABATO CITY – Two Muslim teenagers received special awards in separate events of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia last week.

Amin Hataman and Rasul Alih were cited during the 22nd ASEAN Youth Day and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth, respectively.

Hataman, 16, was awarded for inventing biodegradable plastics made of nata de coco,a coconut by-product and Filipino food ingredient.

Hataman’s invention also won him an award in an international youth inventors’ fair in Europe two years ago. He is a son of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman and Rep. Sitti Djalia of Anak Mindanao party-list.

Meanwhile, Alih was cited for helping preserve Tausug arts and culture. He represented the Ingat Kapandayan Artists Center in Notre Dame of Jolo College in Sulu.

The ethnic communities in ARMM were honored by their achievements, said Hadja Nuriya Jamaldin, assistant superintendent of Basilan schools.

“Hataman and Alih proved that the Muslim youth is just as globally competitive as those in other parts of the country and abroad,” Jamaldin said.

Local officials said the boys’ accomplishments could boost the Mindanao peace process.