PIAGAPO, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The local government of Piagapo is currently campaigning for Islam by working on the development of the Arabic curriculum.

Municipal Mayor Ali Sumandar bared that since his administration started and taking into account the 2017 siege in Marawi City, they heightened their campaign on Islam as they firmly believe that Islam is peace. 

“Kapag may kapayapaan, nandiyan ang order and love [If there is peace, there is order and love.,” he said.

Sumandar said that while they campaign for Islam, they organized an Islamic Affair which paved the way for the standardization of the Arabic curriculum in the province.

He stated that they let this be scrutinized by the Office of the Provincial Islamic Council so that it might be certified as appropriate teaching for madrasahs. 

“Nagkaroon ng standard ang Arabic curriculum at nang sa ganoon ay maibahagi at masabi natin sa taas, lahat ng ahensya at pribadong sektor na dapat nilang malaman na ang Islam ay kapayapaan,” he said. 

[There has been a standard Arabic curriculum for us to share and tell those in the higher positions, all agencies, and the private sector that they need to know that Islam is peace.]

The mayor was happy to share the positive result of their initiative as more violent extremists came down to surrender to authorities.

“Alhamdulillah, ang resulta noon ay madami na tayong napababa because of this common goal na pinapatupad natin na matagal na nating minimithi, ang long lasting peace and order. Sana, tuloy-tuloy na ito at mas marami pa tayong makumbinsi na bumaba,” said Sumandar.

[Alhamdulillah, the result of this was that we were able to let [violent extremists] go down because of this common goal that we are implementing which is what we greatly desire, the long-lasting peace and order. I hope this continues and many more will be encouraged to go down.] (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)