SUMMARY
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I believe that the United States (US) is now approaching a conclusion to its ‘War on Terror’ and I’m really happy about that.
Since 9/11, I have seen how American troops fought the war – both in the news and through so many Hollywood films. I agree that terrorism is something that must be eliminated, but I cannot forget how your ‘War on Terror’ inflicted great costs and losses to many innocent Afghans and Iraqis.
I also cannot ignore the fact that, because of the massive influence of this war on every aspect of global consciousness, an outsider’s impression of Islam is now tainted with the recollection of hatred and fear.
On using violence
I feel this tension in my country. As a daughter of a Muslim woman and a Catholic father, I have had to straddle two worlds and live the mixed emotions scattered between these two great faiths.
On one hand, I see my parents and many other Filipinos who are able to grasp the idea of peace and promote it. On the other side, I come from a province – Zamboanga – that continues to fall apart with acts of terrorism at the hand of separatist Muslim groups.
It would be easy to point a gun at each of these armed rebels, give them the old ‘eye for an eye’ treatment and make them pay for their crimes. But I won’t – because I know that, like you and I, they are human too.
What we need to do
President Obama, wouldn’t the United States and the world gain more if we treat every terrorist as a human being? Can we not consider that they may have chosen this kind of life because they have been burdened by a life of poverty or unfulfilled dreams?
Can we not see that, in the Philippines, for instance, many rebels lack access to education and employment opportunities? Can we not do our best to understand what it means to be Muslim in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in the Philippines and then navigate the problems that churn terrorism?
“We do not negotiate with terrorists.” That’s something I hear very often. However, I personally believe that, in the kind of world we are living in, we need to negotiate with terrorists – at least in terms of seeking a common ground.
How can we hope to solve global problems such as massive pollution, resource shortage, or climate change when the divisions among our people banish any possibility of unified action? How can we hope for peace when these divisions are being intensified with war?
Framework for unity
I’m happy that the Philippines is making an effort to negotiate amid this division. With the Bangsamoro Basic Law, we are one step closer towards understanding the context of terrorism. We are one step closer to making our nation whole.
If the United States will take a stronger stand towards understanding instead of war, I know that many other countries around the world will do the same. Start promoting peace and sympathy. Start with young people like me.
We no longer have a need for a ‘War on Terror.’ We need a Framework for Unity. There are so many problems ahead that the world can only tackle them as one. – Rappler.com
Arizza Ann Sahi Nocum is the head of the Kristiyano-Islam (KRIS) Peace Library, an organization that promotes education and peace among children in the poorest Filipino communities – many of which are in conflict-stricken areas of Mindanao. The organization has six libraries and hundreds of scholars around the country. Nocum is also an Industrial Engineering student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman.
Do you have a message for the US President? Tweet us at @MovePH or send an email to move.ph@rappler.com with the subject line #DearObama!
Read other #DearObama letters by our contributors:
#DearObama: Speak to my people by Shakira Sison
For Obama: How about a high-skilled immigration pivot for Asia? by Curtis Chin
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