INDANAN, SULU -- As part of its continuing efforts to bring healing and reconciliation in Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) recently joined members of the community in an Iftar held here at the MNLF’s Camp Yusop Jikiri.

The Iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after they break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan, was spearheaded by the OPAPRU’s MNLF Concerns Office and Social Healing and Peacebuilding Office.

The Iftar activity is part of the agency’s series of solidarity and confidence-building initiatives in the area dubbed "Ramadan 2022 for MNLF Communities" which gathered MNLF members, women, youth and children.

The mood was festive, as the women and youth prepared the food and venue, while the male MNLF members ensured the active participation of everyone in the community.

In his solidarity message, MNLF Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Tahir Usman expressed their appreciation to OPAPRU for joining the Iftar, saying "thank you for visiting, to the members of the Peace Process, especially in this Holy month of Ramadan."

Before breaking the fast, a Nasha or spiritual guidance on the observance of Ramadan was given by Sheik Saddam Abun, which emphasized the importance of fasting and prayers among members of the Muslim faith.

BGen. Buenaventura Pascual, a member of the GPH Coordinating Committee, then presented a token of appreciation to Commander Usman as an expression of trust and brotherhood between the national government and the MNLF.

The Iftar activity was held in partnership with the Indanan Municipality Local Government Unit; the Omar, Sulu 2nd district Local Government Unit; 11th Infantry Division and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force company; Sulu Provincial Police Office; Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Indanan, Sulu; and other civil society partners partners which included the Sulu State College and the Bangsamoro Commission on Women. (OPAPRU)