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Salamun Alaikum

Sultan Moh’d Amin “Bob” Torres

October 22, 2005

Greetings!

I read your article about the breaking of Fasting in Baguio. It was well written and this will help us make non-Muslims understand more what Islam is and Who are the Muslims. As a Sultan I am obligated to monitor my people to observe fasting and obligatory five times prayers a day to worship Allah.

During Ramadan, Muslims show sincerity and loyalty to Islam. This is what really hurts most when news reporters misuse the term MUSLIMS in their reporting. I was guest speaker in Davao two months ago sponsored by the KBP. The theme was, “Responsible Reporting”. I reiterated that media often use the term MUSLIMS whenever an individual/subject has a name similar to a Muslim name.

Not all Mohammads and Ismaels or Abu, etc. is a Muslim. The parents may be Muslims but does not mean he is also a Muslim. One broadcaster said they report according to police reports that state that the individual is a Muslim. Presumptions are often times misleading and may cause damage to a person.

Nowadays most of the reports are “a Muslim drug dealer arrested in Quiapo”. There are so many Muslim like names and there are also cases when a person uses a Muslim name as his alias. This is very unfair to our brother Muslims who are true Muslims and more seriously affecting the family of all Muslims. Our children who go to school are most affected being accused of and called Abu Sayaff or rebels and worst, drug pushers.

Any Muslim who turns bad or involves himself in these crimes is no longer a Muslim. There is no such thing as a Muslim terrorist. Take note that Muslims respect the constitution of the land. We do not start or create any rally or protest against our elected declared President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. We may see some Muslims who join radical rallies but this again does not mean all Muslims support them. We actually pray for them for they have not used their better judgment. My constituents in Mindanao left their lands to seek a better chance in life. This has been proven many times as we can name thousands of them who came with hand carry bags and mostly just wearing sandals but now own a car or van and many even own houses and lots in more expensive areas in Metro Manila. This shows how dedicated and sincere they are in being a true Muslim, a provider for his family and a hard-working Filipino.

It is not also right to say that they do not pay taxes. Pay for permits and licenses is a form of paying taxes.

Let us all be reminded that there is no form of subsidy, welfare for food stamps or housing from our government as we Muslims know that our government can not afford such task. But, because of strong brotherhood ties among Muslims, they manage to survive and if they work hard enough they will succeed and give their children a better life and future. A true Muslim father is a very good loving father to his family or families.

I appeal to the public, to the media and most of all to the law enforcers not to misjudge or jump to conclusion so loosely. To maintain peace is a commandment of Allah. This is why we Muslims always greet everyone SALAMUN ALAIKUM (peace be with you).

I thank you so much for your time to publish our affairs in Baguio. On that day, many other places in the country celebrate Ramadan. This is the time for cleansing and giving great importance to the Creator, ALLAH (God Almighty).

Let us all thank ALLAH for what we have and for what we may have. #

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