ISLAM’S CHALLENGE

“There is no Methodist Jihad, no Jewish Hasidic holy warriors, no Buddhist monk wanting to have 72 virgins waiting for him after a suicide bombing, no Hindu Holy men plotting to blow up people, no Southern Baptist suicide bombers, no Mormon elders preaching the annihilation of members of other faiths. For the most part the other religions get along.” (Internet Poster)

Reader if you want to find out what the global community thinks about a variety of topics look no further than the Internet’s message boards. The ‘Net’ gives posters a certain anonymity which permits them to tell thousands of readers at a click of the ‘SEND’ button exactly what they think though some of posters are rude, semi-literate, insensitive and downright frightening. On this the 9th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 I’ll devote two editions to Islam in the Philippines. In part one I’ll discuss some of the Filipino Muslim community’s positive contributions to the Island and world society. In part two, I’ll try to shed some light on why Islam is feared and hated by so many non-Muslims, Filipino and otherwise. Case in point: Reader, take a serious look at this drastic post:

“If you noticed there seems to be a lot of Muslims committing terror. Muslims commit terror in the name of their religion. They call it Jihad and they do it a lot; worldwide. Ultimately, it is not about Jews in Israel, or Orthodox Serbs in Kosovo, or Hindus in Kashmir, Buddhists in Thailand, or Maronite Catholics in Lebanon, Taoists in China, or Christians in Sudan and Nigeria, but all of us. It not about the terror attacks in Russia, India, Spain, New York, England, Kenya, but about Jihad. This is the war on terror…” (Internet poster) Is Islam about forcible conversions, shock and terror tactics? Aforementioned this article is about explanation.

There is no conclusive evidence when Islam arrived to the Archipelago. Some scholars theorize that Muslim traders established trade centers throughout the region, intermarried into prominent Filipino families, and converted their wives and families to the religion of Mohammad. Once Islam had gained a toe hold in their new communities these now prosperous traders’ imported Muslim missionaries who converted the local populace en masse. Other Islamic scholars say that Filipinos were naturally drawn toward Islam with its universal commonality of believers in that all Muslims are equal under GOD (Allah). Yet there are others who believe that Filipinos were forcibly made Muslims by converted village chiefs who wanted their people to embrace Islam. I say a little bit of all of the above though forcible conversions are not unique to Islam. Similar to methods were used by Catholic missionaries starting with Roman Emperor Constantine at the fall of paganism, throughout the Spanish colonialist period, by Protestant preachers during and after the Reformation, and by the communists at bayonet point.

In the Philippines most Muslim proselytizing took place during the 13th through 15th centuries and ended during the early years of the introduction of Catholic-Christianity by the Spanish colonialists. Competition between Christianity and Islam soon grew fierce. In quick time the religious situation took on the flavor of a small town blood feud reminiscent of the 19th century American West when the town’s two top guns would battle it out to establish supremacy. When religions compete violently for the hearts and minds of the people their message is lost unless violent conquest is the message. POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS

Philippine Muslims and world-wide Islam have been receiving a lot of bad press since the fall of Western Communism. Though some harsh criticism is well deserved, there have been many positive contributions made by the Filipino Muslim community. These have been largely ignored and downplayed by the global media who prefer to dwell on the more negative aspects of Islam. I won’t get into those until next week’s part two. Who can ignore the Muslim dances of Mindanao? The dancers’ colorful costumes that set Filipino Muslim customs apart from their non-Muslim neighbors; their hot and spicy foods that tantalize the palates of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

And what about Muslim literature; Filipino Islamic fiction writer Ibrahim Jubaira is well admired and respected the world over for providing a looking glass into the lives, hearts, dreams, and minds of Filipino Muslim society. Samples of the great man’s work along with other types and examples of Filipino Islamic art, culture, and literature can be found at: www.muslimmindanao.ph. This website is over-loaded with many interesting facts about the vibrant Muslim community of the Philippines.

I’ve always associated brass gongs (Kulintang) with Muslim Indonesia. Not so; Muslim folk orchestras in Mindanao also employ their use. I won’t take up valuable word space discussing Kulintang music and the lively ceremonial dances that accompany it. Reader if you’re really serious about knowing more about Filipino Islamic poetry, music, literature, and art then again go to the above web source.

I think most travelers have seen pictures of the sails of southern Philippine Muslim fishing vessels; they’re gorgeous! Reader what about Muslim woodcarvers, boat builders, Islamic architecture of the southern islands that tantalize the imagination; all are among the artistic treasures of the ancient and modern worlds. As a practicing artist I am of the opinion that Filipino Muslim artists are among the world’s best. You may have noticed that I deliberately refrained from using the word ‘Moro;’ that term is derogatory.

Reader, I hope this week’s Mega Scene’s Philippine Adventures helped you appreciate the lively art and culture of the Philippine’s Muslim community. To further your knowledge about Islam in the Philippines read works by Muslim scholar Wadja K. Esula at: www.islamawareness.net. Next week I’ll discuss some dark reasons why Filipino Muslims has been getting so much negative publicity and how they can halt this. One final thing before I forget; last week I wrote about my step-daughter’s new profession and how proud she made our family. Correction: Andreah’s an anesthetist not an anesthesiologist…oops-it happens! LOL! Drive safely, live long, and GOD bless.