Islam and democracy

I AM happy that there are still a few journalists, like Manuel Quezon III, who have the ability to address an issue objectively and without bias. I agree with him when he said that Islam is not opposed to democracy. While there may be interpretations of the Koran by various groups leading to the idea of anti-democracy, the fact that the Muslims themselves are the ones reporting the electoral fraud, albeit some are in hiding for fear of their safety, signals that Muslims also want to participate in Philippine democracy by having peaceful, credible and honest elections. The proposal of the bishops for a different political set-up would result in marginalizing the Muslims in the Philippines and reinforce the longstanding claim of some of them for a separate Muslim Mindanao. This kind of thinking is a remnant of that of the Spanish colonizers. Note that there is an increasing number of Muslim professionals (including me) who are advocating for change in the Muslim areas although there names may be unheard of yet. The act of giving credence to the opinions and decision of elders is shared by all Filipinos, be they Christians or Muslims. It is a Filipino tradition. It is a mistake to say that only Muslims are inclined to honor what their elders say. In the same vein that Muslim areas did not have the monopoly on cheating or violence during the elections. There were incidents of cheating and/or killings in Abra, Davao del Norte, Ilocos, Bukidnon, Cebu (Hello Garci!), Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Bacarra and everywhere else in the Philippines. So to focus on alleged cultural differences as the cause of fraud in Muslim Areas is beside the point. What cannot be denied though is the apathy of most Muslims toward the election of officials to sit in the national positions, making their votes susceptible to fraud (most of them literally leave blank the space for senators). Most of them do not care, simply because they think that no one in Manila sincerely cares for them. But this is another story. The point is whether Muslim or Christian, we all want a better country governed by better leaders for the future of our children. Let us address fairly and without bias the issues and not marginalize those who are already marginalized. -- Normina Musor-Datudacula, Quirino Avenue, Manila (via e-mail)