After Ramadan: Biking priest to continue his fasting
October 4th, 2008
MANILA, Philippines - The Muslim community may have finished the holy month of Ramadan, but a Mindanao-based Catholic priest who “joined” them in fasting for peace would continue his Friday fasts for peace.Biking priest Amado Picardal said he decided to continue his fasting amid raging armed confrontation involving the government forces, the New People’s Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“Even if Ramadan is over, I will continue my Fast for Peace every Friday and will continue to eat only once day during the other days. I am doing so because there is still no peace in our land. With the end of Ramadan, the fighting has escalated,” he said in his web log.
Picardal lamented MILF units’ continued attacks, which is matched by government forces’ offensives supported by bombing operations.
As a result of the hostilities, innocent Muslim and Christian civilians have suffered, he said.
In other parts of Mindanao, the New People’s Army also scaled up tactical offensives, inviting increasing counteroffensives by the military.
“Sadly, the Arroyo government has adopted a militarist approach,” he said.
Picardal and members of the Focolare movement joined Muslims in their fasts for peace last month, and spent Eid’l Fitr Wednesday with Ustadz Mahmod Adilao.
Adilao is the head of the Ulama League of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao chapter, and is also a member of the Bishops-Ulama Conference.
“We became close friends seven years ago when we worked together to organize the Caravan for Peace from Davao to Cotabato during the height of the all-out war declared by President Estrada in Central Mindanao. Since then we have occasionally met during consultations, meetings and prayer rallies. His daughter Nor Asiah is also a close friend. We are part of the Silsilah dialogue movement in Davao,” he said.
“I am so glad to celebrate the Eidl Fitr with them after expressing my solidarity with the Muslims in Mindanao by also fasting during the Ramadan - my own version of Duyog-Ramadan. I have been on a complete fast every Friday, and during the other days I have been eating only once day,” he added. - GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/
Entry Filed under: World
