‘I hope my baby grows up in a world with no more conflicts’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – As the sun started to spill out orange light from the horizon, Muslims from all ages here silently walked toward a soccer field near a river in the city on Monday morning, July 28.

A group of men rolled out tarpaulins across the green grassfield covered with dew, while the rest laid out their colorful carpets.

An ustadz took the microphone. He said it was a very important day for it was the end of their month-long fasting.

“As we observe Eid al-Fitr, let us ask for forgiveness to those we offended and we should also forgive those who offended us,” the ustadz said.

With reverence, the faithful all bowed and prayed.

In the middle of the crowd was a smiling baby, curled up next to her mother.

She was born on July 14, during Ramadhan, said her mother Sitti Alida Yahiya. The baby is a symbol of change and hope for the family.

Amaan wiggled after mom Yahiya tickled her at the end of the prayer.

“I ask Allah to guide her in this world. I hope she would grow up in a world with no more feuds and conflicts,” Yahiya said.

Another mother said that it is the wish of all Muslim parents that peace will be achieved in Mindanao so that their children will not be deprived of their rights to study and enjoy the resources of the island.

And as they welcomed the end of their fasting, they shared a meal consisting of pastil or rice topped with chicken and wrapped in banana leaves, boiled eggs, and banana chips.

These are simple food, they said, but were made special by the hope, the optimism, in their hearts that everything will be alright.

– Rappler.com