By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said the observance of this year’s Holy Month of Ramadan would be different due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Interim Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim (SCREENSHOT / RTVN / MANILA BULLETIN)
“I know that this year’s Ramadhan will be observed differently because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has already changed our everyday lives. We now wake up to a reality where taking care of each other means maintaining distance from one another,” Ebrahim said in a statement on Friday.
But he nevertheless assured the Bangsamoro people that they were doing their best “to ease your pain and suffering in these difficult times.”
He said the Bangsamoro Government, through its Inter Agency Task Force on COVID 19, has enforced policies and programs to address the COVID-19 pandemic, one of which assuring the health workers and other frontline personnel of sufficient medical supplies and equipment consistent with its call for moral governance.
He added that the BARMM has gone on massive relief operations, and provided other forms of assistance to the mostly affected families and sectors, and extends financial support to local government units across the region “to enhance their capacities to respond to the pandemic.”
“A contingency plan has also been laid out to prepare us for any worst-case scenario,” he added.
Ebrahim said, despite the challenges, he remained hopeful that the Bangsamoro people would unite during the Holy Month to achieve their common goal, believing that the COVID-19 crisis “should bring out the best in us in the many ways we are responding to this great trial.”
“Through our collective struggle, we hope to find the strength to develop our renewed purpose in this spiritual journey, Insha Allah. May we all have a meaningful observance of Ramadhan, and may Allah keep ourselves, our families and communities safe from the threats of the pandemic,” he said.
According to Department of Health, BARMM has a total of nine confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of them, two are active cases, three died, and four recovered.