|
Written by Ayesah Abubakar
|
|
Wednesday, 03 October 2007 |
It was not too long ago when Muslim students studying in various universities in Manila concerted their efforts to build on an association. With meager resources but with great enthusiasm, they have managed to organize annual meetings if only to seek out each other’s friendships and support their causes. This was then the Muslim Students Alliance (MSA). Many years later, they have successfully finished college and have become professionals. And some of those friendships have continued to remain strong. Along the road, they’ve also made new friends and welcomed the idea of building on a network of “friends.” They have moved on towards a goal of organizing a community of young Moro professionals in Manila.
There were two main reasons behind the natural grouping of this “Martial Law babies” generation: (1) they wanted to create a social support system that will help them thrive in the urban lifestyle and predominantly non-Muslim community of Manila (2) and that they want to fulfill their moral duties towards their families and communities in Mindanao. This Moro diaspora has developed to what is known today as the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN). The YMPN was founded in a General Assembly in November 2002 at Rembrandt Hotel, Quezon City. It was registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in May 2003 as a non-profit organization. Since, it has evolved itself into a movement that effectively promotes its vision that today’s young Moro professionals can be catalysts of change and progress, not only in Manila, but most especially in the many parts of Mindanao.
Certainly, the YMPN went through many birth pains. The members of the Core Group, known as the Convenors, have come and go, while a more enthused volunteers have stepped up to the challenge of making YMPN work. After many years, it was only in July this year of 2007 that YMPN opened its humble office in Quezon City. And besides the occasional charity work and public seminars that it organizes, the YMPN’s biggest project is its realization of a Ramadhan event in Manila.
The declaration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo making the Eidl Fitre a National Holiday in the Philippines in 2001 is welcomed positively by the Muslim and Moro communities in the Philippines. Yet, there’s more to be done in giving due significance to this holiday in a country that hardly understands what the Month of Ramadhan and the Eidl Fitre is all about. It is in this context that the YMPN bravely put up the 1st International Ramadhan Fair (IRF) at Intramuros, Manila last year. As it turned out, the event may have not attracted throngs of people and had barely enough resources to be staged grandly. However, to the students and YMPs behind it, and the many friends from the Muslim communities and inter-religious groups who showed their moral support, it was undeniably all worth the hardships. The day of Eid’l Fitre became as meaningful as it should be.
In less than two weeks, the YMPN again is holding its 2nd IRF at Intramuros with a two-day program of activities. This second attempt remains driven by the passion and faith of the YMPs and many volunteers, and a few friends and donors who believes in this project and hopefully, a soon-to-be tradition. Therefore, it is the ideals of “volunteerism” that the YMPN is thriving upon and that will carry them through towards the future.
The YMPN is not a typical NGO or association, but it is refuge of many dreams for the Moro youth. And just as many more Moro students flock to Manila, they too shall be inspired to achieve their potentials, and maybe greater than what their elder brothers and sisters have done. |
"There are certain developments that respond to increasing globalization in general and the post-September 11 war on terrorism in particular. An organization that spans both Mindanao and Manila is the Young Moro Professionals. Well-educated -- often doctors, lawyers, journalists, or others with advanced degrees -- this younger generation is qualified to compete in a globalized economy but also feels compelled to speak out on issues concerning Muslims in the Philippines."