COTABATO CITY (PNA) – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan lauded President Duterte’s gesture of kissing the ground at the blast site in Jolo, Sulu, describing it as an “utmost sign of humility.”
“Humility knows no boundaries or religious affiliations, whatsoever, it comes from the heart,” Udasan said on Tuesday.
On August 24, twin explosions rocked downtown Jolo that were believed to have been carried out by suicide bombers affiliated with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
The bombings killed 17 people, including government soldiers, and wounded 75 others.
Duterte visited the Jolo blast site on Sunday, August 30, and kissed the ground, eliciting various reactions on social media.
“We see nothing wrong with it as the gesture of the President emanates from within himself,” Udasan said.
Anwar Kuit Emblawa, secretary of Mayor Marop Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, echoed Udasan’s views, saying the President’s gesture was "heartfelt and unquestionable."
“You could see how the President’s deep respect and love to his people, including the soldiers who died defending freedom from the claws of the ASG in Sulu,” Emblawa said.
“If you kiss the ground of any place, it means that you really love the place, and dying for it is absolute. This is what President Duterte’s action imparted during his Jolo visit,” he added.
Emblawa said the President’s ground-kissing expresses his deep sadness over the lives lost in the incident due to the desperate attacks of the ASG terrorists. (