By  Rexcel John Sorza, IOL Correspondent

MANILA — The mass-circulation daily in the Philippines has launched an eight-page monthly section devoted to story on development, peace and business opportunities in Mindanao, the birthplace of Islam in the Philippines.

"The Moro Times provides a door for all readers to enter the world of the Muslims of the Philippines," Amina Rasul, the section's chief editor, told IslamOnline.net.

It is, she added, devoted to Muslim issues and Mindanao and it will feature articles on Muslim business opportunities, arts and culture, religion and history.

"Ever wondered what halal food is? Read about how Maranaos celebrate weddings. Want to buy hand-woven textiles of the Tausug and Yakan and the best-priced pearls? Learn about Islamic art?

"This 'virtual' door will allow the reader to take a peek—from the safe corner of your room—into our world. This door, unlocked, allows us to welcome you in. Do keep the door open," she enticed.

Rasul, assisted by an all-Moro editorial staff, said the project is collaboration between The Manila Times and the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, the NGO which she founded.

Largely Catholic Philippines has an estimated Muslim minority of around eight million or ten percent of the population.

Understanding

Rasul said the eight-page section aims at fostering better understanding between Muslims and Christians.

She noted that published information about Muslims in the Philippines is sporadic and emanates from a very political prism.

"News reports are usually about terrorism, corruption, electoral shenanigans."

Rasul, a member of a Tausug clan steeped in the history of Muslims in Mindanao, believes that her own reality has been a collage of the global, modern world and the world of her family in the islands of Sulu and TawiTawi.

"I could see how knowledge of one world would enrich the other—knowledge which could erase discrimination stemming from ignorance.

"Since we fear what we do not know, The Moro Times will fill the void of ignorance," she told IOL.

Moderates

In the premier issue, which hit the news stands last Friday, the section bannered a story forecasting that prospects for peace will double the economic growth of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In an editorial devoted to the launch, The Manila Times said its newest section would be a national platform for the views and aspirations of "moderate" Muslims and other ethnic groups in Mindanao.

The mass-circulation daily, published since 1898, said "the voice of the moderation is often drowned out in the national conversation, especially when subjects move on to terrorism and national security."

It regretted that the discussion on peace and terrorism "dominates the news and tends to portray a rather negative image of Muslims and non-Muslims in Mindanao."

The daily hoped to be able to correct such misperceptions "so that we Filipinos would associate Mindanao and its people with freedom, democracy, family and our enduring values."

The mineral-rich southern region of Mindanao is the birthplace of Islam in the Philippines and home to about 5 million Muslims.

"This is a real good development because our voice could now be heard a lot louder," Abdullah Rahman, a Pilipino Muslim, told IOL.

"We used to be pictured as terrorists, as rebels, as a violent people but now we hope to disabuse the Filipinos' mind about all these," he said.

"I hope The Moro Times will be able to carry out this tough job."

Source : http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1159951514484&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout