MANILA, (PIA) -- Yes for Peace Bayanihan ng Bayan (YFP-BNB) Secretary General Yusoph Mando leads community consultations in Navotas and Malabon City to get a grasp of the condition of Muslims in the two northern metro cities, and to look into how their concerns can be addressed.

The consultation was prompted when Mando, a Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), learned that there is no Masjid or Mosque, or even a prayer area in the densely populated City of Navotas.

Mando immediately instructed his staff Ustadz Fahad Sultan Abdullah and Harun Mando to coordinate with YFP-BNB leaders to coordinate a consultation meeting with the Muslim leaders in the area.

Different issues and concerns of the Muslims, including the need of the jama'a or the congregation members to have a mosque in their area, were brought out discussed and doable courses of action were identified through maswara or the group consensus.

The said meetings consultation was attended by Barangay Chaiman Elvis I. Desabille of Barangay North Bay Blvd South Proper, Navotas City; Ibrahim Tubale Muslim Consultative Council (MCC) Chairperson and Yes for Peace Coordinator for Navotas City and more than 20 Muslim residents, including women.

Minor problems, including the need to follow up for the establishment of an MCC or Muslim Consultative Council in their respective LGUs, were given outright solutions.

Other issues that need to be carefully studied and brought to the attention of other government agencies that could be of assistance were noted.

Mando assured those present that he would help them bring their concerns to his friends and colleagues in the concerned agencies.

Immediately after, leaders of the Muslim community in Malabon City headed by Taher Mikunug, Chairperosn of Malabon Muslim United Association (MUMA) and members of his organization present during the dialogue expressed their happiness and appreciation on Mando's gesture of visiting them to look into their plight.

According to them, seldom they are visited by Muslim government leaders. (PIA-NCR)