MANILA — In line with ongoing efforts to create a peaceful, orderly and harmonious environment in Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte, some 50 Muslim youth leaders residing there were given the chance to tour Malaysia from May 7 to 10.
The tour was sponsored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), military public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said Thursday.
He added the above-mentioned activity is expected to hone the Muslim youth’s participation in resolving the peace and security issues in their home provinces.
Thirty of the participants were from Lanao Del Sur while the remaining 20 were from Lanao Del Norte.
Garcia said the educational tour included on the first day a visit to the Department of Islamic Development and Global Movement of Moderates, an initiative that rejects all forms of extremism.
This was followed on the second day by a lecture on Malaysian History and Culture by the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, a tour of the Halal Industrial Development Corporation, and interaction opportunity with the Indian community in Batu Malai Sri Murugan Temple.
To help inculcate the importance of peaceful and harmonious coexistence, the participants were also exposed to different cultures through interactions and visits to the Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities and students of the International Islamic University Malaysia.
Other activities in line include calls to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and a visit to the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, and capped by exit ceremonies at the PH Embassy-Malaysia highlighted by a dinner with Ambassador Charles Jose.
Garcia said the AFP conducted the first Muslim Youth Educational Tour from Nov. 23 to 26, 2016 participated in by youth leaders from Sulu.
The second tour was held from Nov. 20 to 23, 2017 with participants from Maguindanao. (Priam Nepomuceno with reports from Ericka Cirera, OJT/PNA)
