An Official Visit

“When our Secretary Mehol K. Sadain and Commissioner Esmail W. Ebrahim visited us yesterday, we did not hear the rustle of wings, nor felt the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we knew their presence by the love they created in our hearts."

Aquino Appoints 5 NCMF Officials

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed five new officials of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), paving the way for the agency's full operation addressing the welfare, needs, and concerns of its constituents, more pressingly the hajj to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Aquino signed the appointments on March 20 2012 of the five new commissioners. They are lawyer Mehol K. Sadain (Tausug), former commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec); lawyer Edilwasif T. Baddiri (Tausug, re-appointed), Ustadhz Esmael W. Ebrahim (ulama sector); Salem C. Demuna (Kalagan), all with four-year terms; and Mirlkarl T. Allian (Sama), who will serve the remaining two-year term of the late commissioner Mufti Jaafar. Aquino later signed on April 13, 2012 the appointment of Sadain as secretary/chief executive officer of NCMF and also as "amirul hajj" (head of Philippine Hajj Mission) for Hajj 2012. The Office of Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., transmitted Friday afternoon to the NCMF their appointment papers. Then, NCMF Executive Director Siti Djalia T. Hataman handed the appointments to them Saturday. Sadain said they will assume office today, Monday, and the commission will immediately address brewing concerns on the arrangements for this year's pilgrimage, among other issues. "The commission will do its utmost to address soonest and remedy any situation about the pilgrimage," said Sadain. Ebrahim said all five of them took their oath of office Sunday at 9 a.m. before Sandiganbayan Justice Rafael Lagus. This developed as outgoing NCMF Secretary Bai Omera D. Dianalan Lucman said she has been ready to turn over the reins of office to her successor. Lucman will remain as commissioner for the remainder of her four-year term ending 2014.

38th Regional Qur'an Reading Competition

In a demonstration of religious tolerance and harmony, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), and the local government units (LGUs) of Compostela Valley jointly conducted the 38th Regional Qur'an Reading Competition for Region-11 with 13 participants.

NCMF Secretary Bai Omera D.Dianalan lauded the cooperation shown by the provincial government and the municipal government of Mabini for the holding of the event that was sponsored and hosted by Compostela Valley led by Governor Arturo T. Uy and Mabini Municipal Mayor Hadji Amer Munoz.

Regional Director Galay M. Makalinggan, in his speech, thanked all who extended efforts towards the success of the Qur'an Reading Competition especially all the Aleems and Ustadz who brought with them their delegates from their respective area to witness and support their participant to the competition. He highlighted in his speech the objective of the annual conduct of the Qur'an Competition, which is the preservation of our Islamic heritage and to promote the appreciation of our culture in perpetuating the Islamic Values.

NCMF RXI Joins Torch Parade which marks Human Rights Day

A TORCH parade from Roxas Avenue to Rizal Park today, December 9, Friday, demanding respect and protection of human rights, will preceed the International Human Rights Day tomorrow, Saturday.

December 10 is remembered globally as the International Human Rights Day. This marks the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international document which sets the minimum standards for the observance, protection, promotion and fulfillment of human rights and human dignity.

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos region XI, with the leadership of its Acting Regional Director Mr. Galay M Makalinggan spearheaded a group of employees and supporters and joined the torch parade.

When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, with 48 states in favor and eight abstentions, it was proclaimed as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations," towards which individuals and societies should "strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance."

The Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy Center (Apila) led the activity together with various human rights organizations and leading government agencies in the city.

Islamic New Year: Amun Jadeed

THE Muslim world celebrates on Saturday, November 26, the Islamic New Year called Amun Jadeed or Al-Hijra the first day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the lunar Hijrah calendar. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) moved from Mecca to Medina, and set up the first Islamic state.

The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra). Under the calendar, this is the year 1425 A.H. Although the event is less celebrated than the two major festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, the Islamic New Year still signals a point for reflection for Muslims.

There is no specific religious ritual required on this day, but Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for "New Year Resolutions.’’ The Qur’an uses the word Hijra to mean moving from a bad place or state of affairs to a good one – and so Muslims may think about how their faith helps them leave behind bad ways of living and achieve a better life.

NCMF Region XI Celebrates Amon Jadeed with meaningful activities and causes. Here are some of the highlighted program of activities which the NCMF Regional Office has sponsored, promoted and engaged:

1. On account of the very timely Mindanao Week of Peace here are activities that Muslims and Non Muslims alike may participate:
a. JOIN NO TO WAR Coalition with BAREFOOT WALK for PEACE, November 24, Rizal Park @ 10 am.
b. Mindanao-Wide LAKBAYAN PEACE CARAVAN, November 28-30
c. PEACE CONCERT @ Matina Town Square on November 30 (7 pm - 1 am)

2. MILLION TAPS FOR PEACE - Taps stands for Thoughts and Acts of Peace, please follow the link http://www.mindanaowomen.org/mcw/?page_id=120 (This is a project of the Mindanao Commission on Women)

3. Launching of the ADULT ARABIC LITERACY and DA'WAH PROGRAM (November 29, 9 am @ Salmonan Arabic Institute) - Classes starts Saturday, December 3, 2011

4. KABISIG GOVERNMENT EXPO in coordination with other agencies of the government at the Abreeza Mall, Davao City

5. Mediation Training (with CORE Group) and Training on Being a Third Sider (with Mindanao Commission on Women) - November 7-9 and November 24-25 respectively

6. Community Service- Forum on Islam once a month. Daily Tahfeez Qur'an between magrib prayer and Eisha prayer. Tafseer Qur'an every Friday before Jum'a Prayer at 11:00AM at Al Munawarah Islamic School, Maa, Davao City

7. Disaster Preparedness Training in coordination with the Integrated Gender and Development of the City Government and National Defense

8. Community and Governance Training in Muslim Communities in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman Region XI)

9. Support Government Campaign Against Terrorism And Criminality Involving Lawless Muslim Personalities And To Undertake Monitoring, Networking Activities With The Muslim Communities. Serve As Coordinating Body Among The Regular PNP Operating Units, Different Salaam Police And AFP Units In The Conduct Of Operations Against Muslim Personalities Or Muslim Communities Including Arrest, Investigation And Filing Of Cases Against Them To Ensure That The Rule Of Law Is Properly Observed And Human Rights Are Not Violated.

10. Conduct of Office Lectures on Public Office being a Public Trust and other related laws through the Legal Division of the Regional Office.

11. Active Participation in Physical Activities like FUN RUN for a cause during weekends.

and more!

NCMF RXI Joins KABISIG Government EXPO 2011

NCMF RXI joins KABISIG GOVERNMENT EXPO @ ABREEZA MALL, DAVAO CITY

The government agencies in Davao City has once again showcased their services and programs to the public in an annual trade and exposition fair spearheaded by the Kabasig People’s Movement (KABISIG) at the Abreeza Mall, Davao City.

In a Memorandum Circular issued by Malacañang, all heads of government departments, agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other government instrumentalities are enjoined to extend support and participate in the “KABISIG National Government Expo and Trade Fair 2011.”

Kabisig chairman Daniel Guillen said more government agencies joined and participated in the expo this year, which featured each office’s profiles, service facilities, and programs as well as projects, products, and accomplishments.

In his message to Kabisig organizers, President Aquino thanked Kabisig “for being a key partner in our great task of nation-building through the years, beginning with its organization during the administration of my late mother.”

“I trust that you will continue to play the vital role of linking us with the people as we institute much needed reforms and reorient the bureaucracy toward ideals of integrity, competence, and performance,” the President stated.

The Kabisig program was created by virtue of Proclamation No. 650 in 1990, aiming to “facilitate, coordinate and monitor the implementation of government programs and projects.”

It also intends to “provide linkages between and among the private sector groups and the government agencies and instrumentalities.”

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, headed by its Acting Regional Director, Galay M. Makalinggan, was one of the speaker during the Expo. He related that the expo activity brought together government agencies in a one-stop shop, which gave them the opportunity to “promote public awareness and understanding of how the government works.”

The Expo opened today and will end on the 24th of November.

NCMF Davao conducts Relief Operations for Flash Flood Victims

NCMF Region XI, headed by its OIC Regional Director Bai Noria S. Salendab Al Hadj, conducted Relief Operations last July 1, 2011 at Muslim Village, Baranggay Talomo, Bangkal, Davao City.

There were about 156 head of families who were victims of the flash flood became recipients of the relief goods.