By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod yesterday, Imam Omar Betita of the Dar Al-Dhikr Islamic Call and Guidance Center in Barangay Mansilingan insisted the local Muslim community does not have any links to the Islamic State-backed Maute group, urging Christians to stop issuing statements that would inflame his community.
In response to the humanitarian situation in Marawi City, he said aid has already been sent to Muslim communities throughout Mindanao to assist those forced to flee the conflict.
When asked if the local Muslim community in Mansilingan is sheltering any Marawi evacuees, Betita said, as of now, there are none although they are welcome to seek shelter in their community.
He also noted, with Ramadan coming to a close with the observance of Eid’l Fitr, he prays for an end to the violence, not just in Marawi City, but throughout Mindanao and around the world./WDJ