Feature: Scholarship for Muslims
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (14 June) -- Thousands of Muslim applicants from various parts of Mindanao converged Saturday at the mini forest along Boulevard, Barangay 23-C Davao City to avail of the Muslim scholarships offered by the Center for Moderate Muslim through its Commissioner Taha M. Basman in cooperation with UNESCO.
ULAMA League of the Philippines regional chairman Aleem Mahmod Adilao said Commissioner Basman wants to help our Muslim brothers particularly those out-of-school youths and unemployed adults, especially the children, to equip them new skills and better education that will give them better chance at the job market.
The scholarship program, dubbed as "Oplan Kaalam" under Commissioner Basman is a combination of technology components and education for the elementary and high level.
"The initial number of scholarships is only 60, however, due to the high demand for education, we plan to propose to Commissioner Basman to increase the number of scholarships in the future", Adilao said.
"The Center for Moderate Muslim have placed education on the center stage for our Muslim brothers for them to be able to be equipped with adequate knowledge on learning and skills", Adilao added.
The Center for Moderate Muslim, he said aims to continue the efficient delivery of education to Muslim brothers despite its limited resources and are trying to implement innovative strategies and solutions on multi-grade schools for Muslim children and adults by producing alternative learning system program.
Adilao stressed that due primarily to the growing Muslim student population, the Center for Moderate Muslim is providing education to Muslim in various parts of Mindanao to achieve family values and continued reformation of Muslim communities.
"There is much to be done and the process of reformation and self development for our Muslim brothers does not happen overnight", he said.
"It takes years and years of hard work and dedication so we can fulfill better and efficient education for our Muslim brothers", he further said.
In consonance with the President's agenda in providing efficient education, the Center for Moderate Muslim through Commissioner Basman is undertaking efforts that would impact teaching and learning to Muslim communities. (PIA XI) [top]