To address issues facing the youth who are affected by the ongoing crisis in the Islamic City of Marawi, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (ARMM) Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA), in coordination with the National Youth Commission (NYC), conducted a dialogue with youth sector representatives here on July 1.
Participated by 100 youth leaders, the dialogue served as the venue for the youth to voice their thoughts on significant issues and on building stronger and more resilient communities.
Key points raised during the discussion centered on the role of the youth in battling terrorism, discrimination on the Filipino Muslims, scholarships for students, and efforts of the government to help internally displaced persons in the city. During the forum, participants also appealed to NYC Chairperson Aiza Seguerra to help them spread the message especially on discrimination against Muslims.
“Magkaiba man tayo ng relihiyon lagi nyong tatandaan na we are also against Muslim discrimination, makakaasa po kayo sa suporta ko sa inyo dahil iisa po ang ating mithiin at yun ay ang kapayapaan,” Seguerra said.
Amir Mawallil, executive director of the OBYA, emphasized the need to face the problem of radicalism head on and discussed possible ways to counter the violent ideology of terror groups in the region.
“We need to act and assert more strongly against violence because this cannot be the start of another cycle of displacement,” he said.
Mawallil also stressed the importance of the voices of the youth against terrorism.
“We need to listen to the voices of youth and understand how we can all better engage in preventing and countering violent extremism in all its various forms,” he further said.
The OBYA and NYC have committed to draft and submit a position paper echoing the youth's demands and proposals for the national government’s rehabilitation plan for Marawi City based on the recently held dialogue. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)
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