Celso hosts 6th Iftar with Muslim leaders
Mayor Celso Lobregat shares his message of friendship and respect to the Muslim community in the city during the 6th Iftar (Pagbukah) hosted by the city government at the Amil's Tower Monday afternoon. At the presidential table are Westmincom BGEn. Ben Dolorfino, Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, Councilors Nonong Guingona and Rudy Lim, Archbishop Romulo Valles and Prof. Ali Yacub. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
In solidarity with the Muslims in Zamboanga City especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan, Mayor Celso Lobregat on Monday played gracious host to local leaders of the Islam faith in what was the 6th Iftar or “Pagbukah” sponsored by the city government.
“This important occasion demonstrates our sincere appreciation to you, our Muslim brothers and sisters, as you commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an,” Mayor Lobregat stressed during the Iftar held at Amil’s Tower on Pilar St, this city. Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims break their fast right after sunset.
Following traditions, the city-sponsored Iftar was done with reverence to Islam faith; an opening prayer followed by a short message of Mayor Lobregat then the recital of the Holy Qur’an by Ustadz Abdulhamid Jameri, president of the Islamic Institute of the Philippines, and at sunset (5:57 p.m. of that day) dinner was served, signaling the breaking of fast. (Note: Sunset time varies by few minutes. TheOffice on Muslim Affairs has issued the official sunset time of Ramadan)
“Ramadan is of great importance to us. It is the month of fasting and piety,” Lobregat said, citing Islamic teachings in which the Muslims throughout the world are called upon by God Almighty to observe obligatory fast during Ramadan to develop self-control, gain better understanding of God’s gift and greater compassion towards the deprived.
Fasting, he said, is emphasized in the Qur’an as he quoted the verse: “O you who believe, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become pious.”
The mayor said that Zamboanga City is blessed by the contributions of people coming from different faiths, including Islam. “We are fortunate to have among us, Zamboangueños—such big-hearted and good natured men and women. Muslim-Zamboangueños have immensely contributed to and helped make Zamboanga City what it is today,” he said, pointing out that in Zamboanga City Muslims and Christians since time immemorial live in harmony and peaceful coexistence.
He further said that Islam, like other faiths, is respected and practiced in complete freedom in the city. “As a democratic society, we cherish our freedom to worship. By working together to advance freedom and mutual understanding, we are creating a brighter future of hope and opportunity,” he said, adding that his administration has embarked on relentless efforts aimed at establishing equitable social progress and economic development, quality public education, infrastructure development and other social service-related undertakings—all these for the people of Zamboanga regardless of faith, culture and tradition.
Lobregat hoped the special Iftar would renew the ties of friendship and mutual respect and reflect on the common values that bind the Muslims and Christians together. “And so as we celebrate this special If’tar, let us renew our ties of friendship and mutual respect and reflect on the common values that bind the Muslims and Christians together “and not the values that divide us.”
Coordinated by City Hall Chief Executive Assistant Roseller Natividad and Executive Assistant on Muslim Affairs Amilpasa “Caloy” Bandaying, the Iftar was attended by Councilors Nonong Guingona, Rudy Lim and Abdurahman Nuño, Archbishop Romulo Valles, WesMinCom commander Brig. General Benjamin Dolorfino, City Police OIC Director Col. Amador Corpus and Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Santiago Baluyot.
Also joining the “Pagbukah” were Rev. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, founder of Silsillah Dialogue Movement, Sr. Supt. Amador Corpus, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga City Police Office, Prof. Ali T. Yacub, executive director of Peace Advocates of Zamboanga (PAZ) and representatives of the Turkish community, among others. (Vic Larato)