MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 15 (PIA) --- The lone Islamic City in the country is celebrating its 31st founding anniversary, today, carrying the theme “Enhancing Maranao Culture: A Key to Sustainable Peace and Development.”
Dansalan derived from the word ‘dansal’ which means ‘destination point’ was the city’s original name. It was given a charter as a city in 1940 pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 592.
It was renamed “Marawi” through Congressional Amendment of the Charter in 1956 sponsored by Senator Domocao Alonto.
Again, on April 15, 1980, it was declared the “Islamic City of Marawi” under City Council Resolution No. 19-A giving credence and recognition that 92 percent of its population are Muslims.
In a simple but colorful program following the traditional parade around the town proper yesterday, April 14, Mayor Sultan Fahad ‘Pre’ Salic expressed gratitude for the support of all the people in the city as they have all contributed to the city’s peace and development.
On the other hand, Col. Daniel Lucero, Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade (103Bde), Philippine Army, urged all Maranaos to revisit and remember the resolve, bravery and heroism of Maranao heroes who fought against foreign colonizers and confronted the threats that destabilizes the province and the city.
He appealed to them to unite together and fight against all those forces that would destroy the tranquility of the place referring to lawlessness, illegal drug use and trafficking.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano who graced the occasion with some members of his city council also underscored the contributions of the Maranaos in the prosperity of his city.
He likewise reiterated the call for unity stressing that Mindanawons should work together, help one another and trust each other to solve the problems in Mindanao.
“There are no Muslims, there are no Christians, there are no Lumads, there are only Mindanawons who should now start to understand and realize that unless all of us work together, we cannot progress as a people in the islands of Mindanao,” Emano added.(Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA-10)
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