MANILA, 25 October 2006 — The number of Filipinos people in the predominantly Christian Philippines who have a favorable opinion of Islam has increased from last year’s figures, a nationwide survey showed yesterday.
Released as Muslims marked Eid Al-Fitr, the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the Manila-based Social Weather Stations (SWS) said 66 percent of Filipinos have a favorable opinion of Islam, up from 63 percent in August 2005.
Sixty-eight percent of Filipinos also think that Islam respects the beliefs of non-Muslims, while 66 percent “see Islam as a religion of peace and not of violence,” according to the poll.
Previous commentaries have earlier attributed the rising number of Filipinos who view Islam positively as a result of the advocacy of interreligious harmony by Christian and Muslim leaders, notably the Bishops-Ulama Conference, in the face of resurgent fighting in Mindanao.
The emergence of Muslim communities as far north as Baguio, Apayao and Cagayan are also seen as an indication of increasing harmony.
In a bid to further promote understanding of Islam, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has for the past years declared Eid Al-Fitr as a regular holiday not just for Muslims but for everyone.
The poll, however, found that about four in five Filipinos are still unfamiliar with the teachings and beliefs of Islam, having either little or no knowledge about it.
Only eight percent of those surveyed have extensive knowledge, while 13 percent said they have partial but sufficient knowledge about Islam, the survey said. The survey, however, did not include Filipinos who are working or residing in Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East and Asia, which is estimated to total 1.7 million.
About eight percent of the Philippines’ estimated 84 million population are Muslims.
Fair on Islamic Culture
Meanwhile, a group of young Muslims are organizing the 1st International Ramadan Fair at Clamshell 2 in Manila’s old “walled city” of Intramuros in a bid to bring together Muslims and non-Muslims to showcase the beauty of Islamic culture.
The first of its kind and, the fair, which begins this week, will feature works by Moro artists, films, book exhibitions, interreligious dialogue, seminars and Qur’an readings and prayers.
Visitors are also treated to Muslim cultural presentations while enjoying the many tastes of halal food (food slaughtered or prepared in the manner prescribed by Islamic law).
Ara Belleng, secretary-general of the Young Moro Professionals Network Inc., noted that although the country has been observing Eid Al-Fitr for the past few years now, many Filipinos still cannot relate to the significance of the event, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
“Very few non-Muslims know what the celebration is all about. They’re not aware of the important lessons, such as acquiring the virtue of patience, that the event (represents),” Belleng said.
She stressed that the event was aimed at highlighting strong Islamic principles and the values of the Muslim community.
“It also aims to provide a venue for the appreciation and understanding of Islamic civilization, history, communities and contemporary issues and practices,” she added.
Through the fair, event organizers and participants hope to enhance the perspective of Muslims and non-Muslims alike on the tenets of Islam. “We are very excited to present the Ramadan in a way that people can easily understand. This is the first time that Ramadan is being be presented in an atmosphere that invites questions and encourages everyone, Muslims or non-Muslims, to (share) in the experience,” Belleng said. )(With reports from Deutsche Presse-Agentur & Inquirer News Service)
