U.S. Embassy Press Release
July 19, 2007                         

 

American Imam Urges Filipino Muslims to Seek Knowledge, Peace

MARAWI CITY -- Islamic Imam Dr. Mohammad Bashar Arafat, a Syrian-born American from Baltimore, Maryland, and founder of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF), spoke in a forum on Tuesday, July 17 at Mindanao State University to convey a message of cultural understanding and peace.

Arafat is on a 13-day trip to the Philippines that includes visits to Marawi City and Midsayap for a series of lectures sponsored by the U.S. Embassy.

More than 600 students and faculty filled the De Venecia Center for Muslim-Christian-Lumad Understanding to hear Arafat speak.  Arafat described living in America, where he and his family live near Christians, Jews, Hindus and people who may not practice any faith.

“But we would play games together," he said, citing the Quran as a command about tolerance and harmony with other human beings.

Arafat told listeners that while Muslim and other faith leaders in the United States had been involved in dialogue for decades, it was not until the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that most religious leaders began to see the importance of understanding each other.

“The phenomenon happening in America is people of all faiths living together free to practice their faith,” he said.  “It’s not about displaying beads, having beards, or wearing scarves. The message of Islam is to read and seek knowledge.”

Arafat added that true Islam is about organization.  Muslims must read and seek knowledge to reach out to other cultures and to present their faith as one in the form of tolerance, understanding and freedom.

“There are many Muslims who are narrow-minded and want to instigate violence,” said Major Sanuan Akkuh, a Chaplain for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).  “But Imam Arafat’s message promotes dialogue and an exchange of ideas.  He should visit more than once a year so more people can hear the message.”

Stephen Ashby, assistant cultural affairs officer of the U.S. Embassy, was part of a group that accompanied Arafat.  “Interfaith understanding and multicultural cooperation is what Imam Arafat’s trip is all about,” said Ashby. “The U.S. and Philippines have great dialogue and cooperation.  But Imam Arafat’s message ascends to a higher level.  Religious understanding and acceptance can bring peace and can only mean good for the people of Mindanao.”

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