A Muslim congressman is up in arms after he got wind of a pet fashion show that featured a dog carrier that was decorated to resemble the Kaaba.
"Napakalaking pagkakamali na gamitin ang Kaaba bilang props at gawin itong kulungan ng aso, lalo pa na ang event ay wala namang kinalaman sa Islam at pamumuhay naming mga Muslim (Using the Kaaba as a prop and as a dog cage, especially in an event that had neither to do with Islam nor our way of life as Muslims is a huge mistake)," Lanao 1st district Rep. Ziaur-Rahman "Zia" Alonto Adiong said in a statement Monday afternoon, Oct. 3.
The pet fashion show-slash-contest reportedly took place at a Quezon City mall on Sunday, Oct. 2.
The Kaaba, a structure that sits in the heart of the Masjid al-Haram in the holy land of Mecca and is the most sacred site for Muslims around the world, Adiong said.
The Kaaba is widely considered to be the house of Allah, and the Muslim ummah turns toward its direction as they pray and perform the salah every day.
"This shows not only a lack of understanding when it comes to our faith that guides our lives, but a complete disregard for our community as Muslims," the Mindanao solon said of the incident.
"We call on the administration of the said mall to conduct an investigation regarding this glaring lapse in cultural sensitivity and the negligence that allowed this act of ignorance to happen. We demand for accountability measures, including a clear and definite commitment to ensure that this will never happen again," Adiong said.
Adiong also warned that such incidents, while seemingly trivial, could trigger unsavory events against Muslims.
"Sa mga ganitong mistulang maliliit lamang na bagay nagsisimula ang mga malalaking problema na nagiging ugat ng diskriminasyon at karahasan laban sa aming mga Muslim – laban sa aming mga komunidad, sa aming mga kaibigan at pamilya (It is with these seemingly small things that causes big problems, which lead to discrimination and violence against us Muslims, against our community, and to our friends and family)," he said.
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"Violence is not just the wielding of physical force that leaves scars on another's skin; violence also involves acts that reduce a person and their beliefs into mere spectacle and refusing to make room for understanding and inclusion that is necessary for a just society that upholds the rights of all.
"We also call on the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos to take action in response to this unfortunate incident, and to coordinate with mall administration to make sure this never happens again," Adiong further said.