Jakarta – More than 35 organisations from all over the Southeast Asian region attending the 2nd Meeting of the Southeast Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy (SEAFID) between 12 – 14 August, in Jakarta, Indonesia, made a statement supporting the continuation of the peace process in Mindanao and the lifting of the temporary restraining order by the Philippines Supreme Court.
The conflict in Mindanao became one of the main issues that was discussed in this meeting and the participants unanimously voted to accept the Statement of Support drafted by one of the panel. The Statement made the group in Jakarta is as follows:
Statement of Suport for the Mindanao Peace Process
Made by the members of the Southeast Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy (SEAFID), Jakarta, Indonesia, 14 August 2008:
We, the undersigned from various organizations from Southeast Asia, attending the 2nd meeting of the South East Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy (SEAFID) in Jakarta, Indonesia on 12 – 14 August 2008 hereby declare our support to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
We are aware that the signing of Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA – AD) scheduled on the 5th of August 2008 in Putrajaya, Malaysia has been postponed due to the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines.
We lend our support to different Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Religious Leaders of Mindanao that the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) be lifted and that both parties sign the MOA-AD the soonest possible time. We also hope that the discussion to find a permanent political solution to the conflict in Mindanao can start as soon as possible.
We call on all the parties to cease the current hostilities including armed engagement that has resulted in the displacement of more that 130,000 people. We also call for humanitarian support for these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and all those affected by the current conflict.
We also call upon the Malaysian government to continue its active role to provide support and facilitation to the present peace process, including monitoring and continuing the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao.
We hope that the political, business and other national leaders in the Philippines refrain from making uninformed and inflammatory statements that only serve to stoke the flames of conflict in Mindanao.
Lastly, we together with all peace loving peoples of Southeast Asia pray for eventual and lasting peace in Mindanao.
Endorsed and Signed by:
Associate Professor Dr Kamarulzaman Askandar, Research and Education for Peace, Universiti Sains Malaysia (REPUSM); and Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network (SEACSN)
Hj. Esmael Ebrahim, Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy; Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippines
Ahmad Suaedy, The Wahid Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia
Jajat Burhanudin, Centre for the Study of Islam and Society, Jakarta, Indonesia
Imran Price, Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies, Singapore
Fuad Mardhatillah, The Aceh Institute, Indonesia
Dadi Darmadi, State Islamic University, Jakarta, Indonesia
Abdul Mu`ti, Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilisations )CDCC), Jakarta, Indonesia
Clare Harvey, The Asia Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia
Budhy Munawar-Rachman, The Asia Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia
Hamid A. Bara, Empowering the Ulama Project, PCID; Mindanao State University, King Faisal Center for Islam, Arabic, and Asian Studies, Philippines
Carmen Abubakar, Institute for Islamic Studies, University of Philippines, Diliman, Philippines
Amina Rasul, Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
Santanina Rasul, Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc., Philippines
Habib Churzin, Forum on Peace, Human Rights, and Development, Indonesia
Maarof Salleh, Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies, Singapore
Nasser Manohomasilie, Union of Muslims for Morality and Truth, Myanmar
Mohd. Roslan Mohd. Nor, Persatuan Ulama Malaysia, Malaysia
Abdul Rahman Awang, Shura, Malaysia
Dr. Mashur Bin-Ghalib Jundam, PCID, CMM, University of Philippines, Institute for Islamic Studies, Philippines
Ahmad Somboon Bualuang, TCMD, Thailand
Radziah Abdul Rahim, University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
Arif Zamhah, Nadtlatul Ulama, Indonesia
Jajat Burhanudin, Center for the Study of Islam and Society, Jakarta, Indonesia
Syafiq Hasyim, International Center for Islam and Pluralism, Indonesia
Sukree Langputeh, Southern Thailand Universities for Peace (STUfPeace), Thailand
Teerawut Muhummud, TCMD, Thailand
Chrisian Kus, IIEC, Indonesia
Radjimo Sastro Wijono, International Center for Islam and Pluralism, Indonesia
Elfira D. Siregar, International Center for Islam and Pluralism, Indonesia
Taharudin P. Ampatuan, PCID, Philippines
Chamamah, AISYIYAH, Indonesian Women Wing of Muhammadiyah
Hj. Zaid Kamaruddin, Pertubuhan Jamaaf Islah Malaysia (JIM), Malaysia
Source: http://www.mindanews.com (August 14, 2008)