RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Visiting Filipino Muslim congressmen assured their Saudi counterparts here that both Congress and the Arroyo government are committed to the welfare of followers of the Islamic faith in the Philippines.
In a meeting with top leaders of the Shura Council (Saudi legislative body), Reps. Abdullah Dimaporo (Lakas, Lanao del Norte); Hussin Amin (Lakas, Sulu) and Abdulmunir Arbison (Lakas, Sulu) told Arab parliamentarians that reports of alleged widespread discrimination against Filipino Muslims are untrue.
"In fact, the Philippines is the only Christian country that observes as a national holiday a purely Islamic event," Dimaporo said, referring to the annual celebration of the Eidl Fitr which marks the end of Ramadhan.
Together with Speaker Jose de Venecia and other business leaders in the country, the House of Representatives delegation was warmly received by top officials of the Shura led by its chairman Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Homaed. Also joining the group were Reps. Lorna Silverio (Lakas, Bulacan); Belma Cabilao (Lakas, Zamboanga Sibugay); Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo; Alfredo M. Yao, special envoy to China; Diosdado Macapagal Jr., former undersecretary of the Department of Finance; lawyer Alfonso Reyno; Constitutional Commissioner Noel Carino and Undersecretary Guiling Mamondiong of the Department of Transportation and Communications. Saudi Members of the Parliaments voiced out their concern over reports of unequal treatment in the Philippines of Filipino Muslims.
Secretary General Saleh Al Malik stressed that equal opportunities for education and economic privileges is very ideal in a country like the Philippines. "In Saudi Arabia, we do not distinguish between Muslims or nonMuslims in hiring Filipinos. We believe both are highly skilled and are hardworking," Malik said. Nevertheless, he cited De Venecia’s efforts in trying to bridge the gap among Filipinos with different religious beliefs.
On the other hand, MP Dr. Bandar Ayban, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, aired concern over the current peace dialogue between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Dimaporo’s wife, Gov. Imelda Dimaporo said the Department of Foreign Affairs has also committed the appointment of a Hajj attaché in Jeddah to give special attention to Filipino Muslim pilgrims.
