Contributed by Nazh-Far Mariwa Berganio, Founder – Ako Bakwit
“Everyday is a grace-filled one,” the usual quote I often heard from Tita/Kagawad Susan Yap. She is a catechist/lector in their church.
Yesterday, Labor Day, was not only an ordinary grace-filled day but it was very meaningful. Aside from having the chance to rest and got away from the hustle and bustle of living in the urban community, I had a chance to meet and turned over Ramadan grocery packs donated to our organization by BDO Foundation, Inc. to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Mohammed Compound, Cardona, Rizal.
Here, I met Bapah Abraham Mohammed. He is the respected elder of the community. His father was a Maguindanaon while his mother was a Tausug like me, but he grew up in Cardona.
Bapah Abraham’s eldest son from his first wife, Idris Mohammed, initiated the move to build a Masjid (Mosque) there. According to him, the funds collective came from his own savings while working as an overseas Filipino worker in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and from friends who donated as well. He also owns the land where the mosque is currently erected. It’s supposed to be a two-story but construction was disrupted due to lack of funds. In the open space of the rooftop is where the children learn Madrasa (Male Islamic School) where Alim Eid Mohammed, one of the youngest sons of Bapah Abraham teaches.
I was also able to talk to Sister Sittie Fernandez, a Female Islamic Scholar and a Muslim convert. She told me about their day-to-day challenges being part of the minority in their community, the problems and struggles they encounter just to survive their daily operations and other plans like the establishment of an Islamic Orphanage.
To summarize our conversation, here are the things that they need, accreditation from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos but they still lack resources in getting the necessary requirements such as the Securities and Exchange Commission Accreditation. Building Permit, to start the construction of the second floor in order for the students to have a conducive learning and an orderly classroom and for the construction of qubba (dome), that is considered a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven.
Indeed, it is very difficult for Muslims to live in a place where many don’t understand Islam. But, I truly admire their passion, dedication and faith, that acquiring wealth in dunya (Earth) is just temporary and it won’t matter even if they are poor for as long as they are able to sustain their spiritual needs. And all of these made me realize that my efforts of becoming a better person each day is not enough. Instead, I must need to aspire to become a better Muslim person everyday. So other people may understand Islam and its teachings and Muslims and their faith but above all to please ALLAH SWT.