SOME 50 Muslim religious leaders, mostly Ulama or Islamic scholars, in Zamboanga City gathered on Monday to discuss and draft “doable actions” to help suppress the escalation of violent extremism and terrorism in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj, president of Golden Crescent, a group of Muslim professionals, and one of the initiators of the activity said they recognize the “vital participation of the Ulama and other Muslim religious leaders in addressing the sociopolitical problem in the region.” The forum, dubbed “Issues of radicalism and extremism affecting the peace process in Mindanao,” also involved youth leaders. The fighting in Marawi City between government forces and IS-inspired local extremist group Maute, which is now entering its 8th week, has shown that disillusioned and marginalized youth are among those recruited by the terrorists. Yesterday’s dialogue was one of the outputs of the recent peace forum initiated by various stakeholders from the peace and security sectors. — Albert F. Arcilla

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