NewsCHR AND PCID CELEBRATES IFTAR 2018 (June 5)
CHR AND PCID CELEBRATES IFTAR 2018
The Commission on Human Rights in partnership with the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy held an Iftar celebration last June 05, 2018, sundown, at the grounds of CHR, Quezon City. Iftar is the breaking of the fast every evening after the sunset of Ramadan.
Amina Rasul-Bernardo, President of PCID, acknowledged CHR’s efforts to bring both Christian and Muslim communities together. She also cited the importance of pluralism in a democratic society, a sentiment in tune with the theme of the event.
“Pluralism is the one major goal of a real democracy. If you’re not pluralistic as a society you cannot have a democracy. And pluralism means accepting different peoples, different thoughts especially very diverse and critical opinions you have to accept all of this and still accept the fact that we are one community of peoples, of nations even. And that is something that Chair Chito has believed in for as long as I have known him.”
The anniversary of Marawi was also remembered by everyone present during the event. Ms. Bernardo emphasizes the need to give hope to those affected by the siege.
“Perhaps we can continue to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Marawi in a way to remind them especially in this holy month of Ramadan that all of this is but a trial and that there is something good in life as long as we hold on to it and as long as we have friends who can hold on to it with us.”
Chair Chito Gaston of the Commission of Human Rights says that the Iftar celebration is the agency’s affirmation of the work to be done in terms of the protection of human rights, especially that of Muslims in the Philippines.
“We affirm that because we in the Commission of Human Rights are very aware and conscious that while human rights violations occur in this country and many other parts of the world, it is you, your friends, your family, the other members of the ummah that have, if they look at it objectively, borne the brunt of the violations of human rights in different circumstances and that is not right.”
The successful Iftar celebration also coincided with Laylat al Qadr (The Night of Power), the night wherein Allah bestowed upon humanity His greatest gift, the Qu’ran as revealed to the Prophet Mohammad making the event more special.