ConfliCts at home affeCt grand plan
For the Tamano Family, Eid is always a time for family and friends reunion. “As an expat Filipino family who belongs to the Muslim minority in the Philippines, living in the UAE for almost 12 years has been a huge blessing for us especially during the holy month of Ramadan,” said Sahron Roy Tamano.
This year’s Eid festivity, however, takes a more solemn celebration for the family, in light of the current conflict in Marawi City, where they hail from.
“We are planning a simple Eid celebration as compared with the previous years of inviting all members of the Maranao Community for a huge gathering. This is in reflection and sympathy to all the victims of war in our place — those displaced persons who until now do not know when the fighting which started before Ramadan will end,” said Roy.
He added: “I was in the Philippines during the outbreak of conflict between the government and Daesh-inspired Maute group. Thankfully I managed to help my siblings and some of my relatives escape to the nearest Cagayan de Oro City. It was a sad and tragic experience seeing families fleeing so they will would be caught in the crossfire.
“This Eid, we fervently pray they will soon go back home and that there will be a restoration of the beautiful Islamic City of Marawi that was almost burned and damaged to the ground,” said Roy.
Roy and wife Noraisa Abdulrahman, along with their two daughters, Hana Sophia, 13, and Shaikha Shahronisa, 6, will have a simple but bountiful Eid feast with relatives and friends.
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