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Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Col. M. Gadhafi Tirade at UN
UN must review the out-model charter fix the loophole written when I'm still inside the womb of my beloved mother, hit by the grand veteran leader of the desert Col. M. Gadhafi at the podium of UN General Assembly. He raised issues point-by-point. I think he has valid points & very considerable when he said UN Security Council-a Council of Terror. Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon you have many tasks ahead to accommodate community more meaningful and acceptable for all members of the assembly...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Filipino Today
Over Ninety millions Pinoy today, the next Pres of the republic after 2010 should favor pinoy interest, from governance, policy formulation and economy paradigm must focus on national interest. Save Phils from the unmanageable population explosion in... the regional level of S.E.A. Fearing many, If not prevented by the expert this might create human upheaval on the ground because more & more of us will go hungry....
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Re: Rep. Joe Wilson in the Hall of Congress
I will not comment to Rep. Joe Wilson even he acted like wild Bull, if the conduct of meeting is on special or regular hearing session. But with the present of your President to address joint session of US Congress. I think little courtesy must be postured as shown of respect to the head of government the most powerful nation on earth.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hard to be Muslim?
Hard to be Muslim?
Samira Gutoc is a freelance writer, former editor of The Moro Times, and convenor of the Young Moro Professionals Network. She is currently helping to revive the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines. GMANews.TVBeing Muslim is hard, wrote one columnist. It’s difficult to practice fasting, wear the veil, deal with false associations with the Abu Sayyaf - the complaints go on and on.
Muslims are challenged by the complexity of the modern age. A Muslim has to grapple with the do's and don'ts of a rigid system of belief and practices, and balance it with modernity. Secondly, a Muslim, particularly in the Philippines, has to deal with multiple identities - being a Filipino, a part of mainstream society; being Moro, a part of a distinct historical community; being a Maranao, Maguindanao or Tausug, part of a cultural group; and being a Muslim, part of the larger Ummah (community of believers).
But for me, being Muslim has really made life easier, especially in the metropolis. Whether in a crowd or in a classroom, my veil has easily identified me, thus I do not get lost or discriminated against. A Muslim not discriminated against? Yep believe it, the veil or my Muslim name usually prompts a sympathetic ear or word even from strangers. Oh, so you're Muslim, a taxi driver would comment, like I was an alien object. Opo, I answer, smiling, bakit? And the curious person would usually begin to ask questions to educate himself.
Having worked and interacted with Christians all my life, I have had to actually be a "better Muslim" to answer questions from colleagues, and even media, about my faith. Some of the usual queries, usually borne out of "misconceptions," have to do with polygamy (more accurately polygyny because women cannot marry more than one man), jihad (self-struggle against evil), eating pork, and the veil.
It is timely to know about Muslims and their way of life. This month is Ramadhan, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar, observed by the capable and healthy among the 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world. Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam aside from charity, pilgrimage, five-times-a-day prayer, and a declaration that there is only One God and Muhamad is a Messenger.
Fasting was practiced by Jesus and other prophets from history. Muslim fasting is 12 hours of abstention from food, water, and sex from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is also about the avoidance of evil, the practice of good acts, and a time to be in solidarity with the poor. I close my eyes to avoid seeing “erotic" scenes on television. This is because we are also advised to avoid getting horny. But that’s only in the daytime.
In the Philippines, fasting comes at a time when thousands of evacuees in Maguindanao are living in tents. Fasting becomes more meaningful because we know how it is to have no food available even for just 12 hours.
My daily routine consists of waking up at 3 in the morning to eat a heavy meal, stopping water intake by 4 in the morning, sleeping again to prepare for the day at 7, working the whole day, reading the Holy Quran, napping in the afternoon, preparing for the 5:45 break of fast, waiting for the call for prayer, sipping water to break the fast, praying, eating a heavy meal, and then evening prayers to cap the night.
Fasting, I discovered, was also a way to strengthen friendships with my Christian friends. My freshman roommate in UP would actually wake me up at 3 in the morning so that I could prepare for morning meals that would end just after 4 in the morning. My NGO colleagues would avoid eating in front of me to show respect. Other friends went as far as fasting for several hours too, to show their oneness with Muslims.
It is difficult to work and fast at the same time; it takes getting used to. It is great that some government offices practice early office hours to dismiss Muslim employees at 3 in the afternoon to prepare for their evening meals.
And as half of the month of Ramadhan is over and Eidul Fitr draws near, the essence of fasting becomes real in the everyday smile of a Muslim to a Christian and vice versa. Abstaining from conflict and making peace real every day should be the real message of Ramadhan. - GMANews.TV
Anti-Torture Bill
Anti-torture bills had just passed by the bicameral committee, this is chaired by Senator Chiz Escudero of the Philippines Senate. This bills is an exceptional one milestone legislation for Human Rights defenders and reformist, who aspire for genuine change of our political system. With all safety-net provisions incorporated in the bills including the penalty fees and penalize provisions is suffice to criminal element of our society would think twice before committing injustices to fellow being. This state laws is long overdue sought by the International Community to the Philippines government pending in both Houses of Congress. At last its become now state laws, I think we must give credits for those personalities who sponsored this anti-torture bills. For all Human Rights advocates, peace corps volunteers, freedom lover and the rest who involved and stands for peaceful world, our kudos congratulations to Senator Chiz Escudero and the both members of the bicameral committees who works for this safety-net bills is one of kind for all as...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Remark By the President at IFTAR Dinner
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 1, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT IFTAR DINNER
State Dining Room
8:08 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Please, everybody have a seat. Thank you. Well, it is my great pleasure to host all of you here at the White House to mark this special occasion -- Ramadan Kareem.
I want to say that I'm deeply honored to welcome so many members of the diplomatic corps, as well as several members of my administration and distinguished members of Congress, including the first two Muslims to serve in Congress -- Keith Ellison and Andre Carson. Where are they? (Applause.)
Just a few other acknowledgements I want to make. We have Senator Richard Lugar here, who's our Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Where is Dick Lugar? There he is. (Applause.) Representative John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. (Applause.) Representative Rush Holt is here. Thank you, Rush. (Applause.) Have we found you a seat, Rush? (Laughter.)
REPRESENTATIVE HOLT: I’m on my way to the train. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: I got you.
We also have here -- Secretary of Defense Gates is here. Secretary Gates. (Applause.) Our Attorney General, Eric Holder. (Applause.) And Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius is here. (Applause.)
And most of all, I want to welcome all the American Muslims from many walks of life who are here. This is just one part of our effort to celebrate Ramadan, and continues a long tradition of hosting iftars here at the White House.
For well over a billion Muslims, Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection. It's a time of service and support for those in need. And it is also a time for family and friends to come together in a celebration of their faith, their communities, and the common humanity that all of us share. It is in that spirit that I welcome each and every one of you to the White House.
Tonight's iftar is a ritual that is also being carried out this Ramadan at kitchen tables and mosques in all 50 states. Islam, as we know, is part of America. And like the broader American citizenry, the American Muslim community is one of extraordinary dynamism and diversity -- with families that stretch back generations and more recent immigrants; with Muslims of countless races and ethnicities, and with roots in every corner of the world.
Indeed, the contribution of Muslims to the United States are too long to catalog because Muslims are so interwoven into the fabric of our communities and our country. American Muslims are successful in business and entertainment; in the arts and athletics; in science and in medicine. Above all, they are successful parents, good neighbors, and active citizens.
So on this occasion, we celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan, and we also celebrate how much Muslims have enriched America and its culture -- in ways both large and small. And with us here tonight, we see just a small sample of those contributions. Let me share a few stories with you briefly.
Elsheba Khan's son, Kareem, made the ultimate sacrifice for his country when he lost his life in Iraq. Kareem joined the military as soon as he finished high school. He would go on to win the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, along with the admiration of his fellow soldiers. In describing her son, Elsheba said, "He always wanted to help any way that he could." Tonight, he's buried alongside thousands of heroes in Arlington National Cemetery. A crescent is carved into his grave, just as others bear the Christian cross or the Jewish star. These brave Americans are joined in death as they were in life -- by a common commitment to their country, and the values that we hold dear.
One of those values is the freedom to practice your religion -- a right that is enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution. Nashala Hearn, who joins us from Muskogee, Oklahoma, took a stand for that right at an early age. When her school district told her that she couldn't wear the hijab, she protested that it was a part of her religion. The Department of Justice stood behind her, and she won her right to practice her faith. She even traveled to Washington to testify before Congress. Her words spoke to a tolerance that is far greater than mistrust -- when she first wore her headscarf to school, she said, "I received compliments from the other kids."
Another young woman who has thrived in her school is Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir. She's not even 5'5 -- where's Bilqis? Right here. Stand up, Bilqis, just so that we -- (laughter) -- I want everybody to know -- she's got heels on. She's 5'5 -- Bilqis broke Rebecca Lobo's record for the most points scored by any high school basketball player in Massachusetts history. (Applause.) She recently told a reporter, "I'd like to really inspire a lot of young Muslim girls if they want to play basketball. Anything is possible. They can do it, too." As an honor student, as an athlete on her way to Memphis, Bilqis is an inspiration not simply to Muslim girls -- she's an inspiration to all of us.
Of course, we know that when it comes to athletes who have inspired America, any list would include the man known simply as The Greatest. And while Muhammad Ali could not join us tonight, it is worth reflecting upon his remarkable contributions, as he's grown from an unmatched fighter in the ring to a man of quiet dignity and grace who continues to fight for what he believes -- and that includes the notion that people of all faiths holds things in common. I love this quote. A few years ago, he explained this view -- and this is part of why he's The Greatest -- saying, "Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams -- they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do -- they all contain truths."
They all contain truths. Among those truths are the pursuit of peace and the dignity of all human beings. That must always form the basis upon which we find common ground. And that is why I am so pleased that we are joined tonight not only by so many outstanding Muslim Americans and representatives of the diplomatic corps, but people of many faiths -- Christians, Jews, and Hindus -- along with so many prominent Muslims.
Together, we have a responsibility to foster engagement grounded in mutual interest and mutual respect. And that's one of my fundamental commitments as President, both at home and abroad. That is central to the new beginning that I've sought between the United States and Muslims around the world. And that is a commitment that we can renew once again during this holy season.
So tonight, we celebrate a great religion, and its commitment to justice and progress. We honor the contributions of America's Muslims, and the positive example that so many of them set through their own lives. And we rededicate ourselves to the work of building a better and more hopeful world.
So thanks to all of you for taking the time to be here this evening. I wish you all a very blessed Ramadan. And with that, I think we can start a feast. I don't know what's on the menu, but I'm sure it will be good. (Laughter.) Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.)
END
8:16 P.M. EDT
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