DAVAO CITY, Philippines, 7 November — An Arabic library will soon be for the benefit of students of the various Arabic schools in this southern city.

Early this week the city council approved creation of the library, which will be located near the Arabic School at Mini-forest, Quezon Boulevard.

Coucilor Mabel Acosta, who chairs the council’s Committee on Education, said the need for an Arabic library is all the more important considering the ever-increasing number of Filipinos working in Arab countries.

Moreover, Davao City itself is home to thousands of Muslims who have to learn the Arabic language.

Acosta said the library will have an initial fund of 250,000 pesos from the Local School Board.

“The library will be open to both Muslims and non-Muslims because we are trying to create a more compassionate society by encouraging tolerance of each other’s culture,” Acosta said.

Dioscoro Vicentino, coordinator of the regional Department of Education office, said the Arabic library will be an extension of the City Library and it would be designed as the center of information with a view to fostering better understanding among Muslims and non-Muslims.

The initial budget for the proposed project maybe small but “what is important is that the city is going to have the much-needed Arabic library,” Acosta said.

She said she has tapped the Southern Philippines Development Authority for financial help for the infrastructure and the purchase of Arabic books.

“Almost 200 ustadjes in the city have volunteered to secure copies of Arabic books from Arab countries for the library,” Acosta said.

The regional of education, Director Diamar Kadon, and city Muslim affairs consultant Datu Zaman Datu Dacula, have already committed their support for the realization of the project.

Muslims and Christians peacefully co-exist in this southern city, proving that the Mindanao problem has nothing to do with religion.

It is alleged the problem exist due to the negligence and too much politicking and militarization in troubled parts of Mindanao.

Although Davao City’s population is predominantly Christian, large mosques form part of its landmarks.