Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Monday, May 2, extended his warm greetings to the Muslim community as they observe Eid al-Fitr.
“Ngayong araw, malugod naming kayong tinatanggap dito sa Kartilya. Hangad ko ang tagumpay ng inyong kahilingan sa ating may likha, naway biyayaan kayo ng inyong mga sakripisyong ginawa sa ilang linggong nakaraan tulad ng sinasabi ko sa hirap na pinagdaraanan ni Samira Gutoc na kasama ko sa pag-iikot sa buong Pilipinas (Today, we welcome you here at the Kartilya ng Katipunan. I wish our creator will grant all your wishes, may you be blessed for the sacrifices you made in the past few weeks as I knew the hardship that Samira Gutoc went through when we were touring all over the Philippines),” Domagoso said in his speech at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila.
“So, muli mga kapatid na Muslim -- babae, lalaki, bata, matanda -- manatili at pumanatag kayo sa Maynila. Lagi kayong bahagi ng lungsod, bahagi ng pamahalaan. Pantay-pantay sa lungsod ng Maynila. Mabuhay ang ating mga kapatid na Muslim dito sa Maynila (So, again my Muslim brothers -- women, men, children, adults - stay and be at peace here in Manila. You are always part of the city, part of the government. There is equality in the city of Manila. Long live our Muslim brothers and sisters here in Manila),” he added.
Domagoso apologized anew for the years of neglect for the followers of Islam, saying he is still hopeful that the city of Manila will be able to give them a sense of belonging.
"In our own little way, we have tried to correct Manila’s history for you to feel that you belong to the City of Manila as members of the community," he said.
"Katulad na naipangako ko kay Ghazali Jaafar na magtatatag tayo ng Muslim Cemetery sa Maynila. Ito ay dating pangarap lamang ng mga Muslim na kapatid natin sa lungsod na kung saan marami sa kanila ayon sa aking karanasan sa mahabang panahon dito sa city hall na nahihirapan ang ating mga kaanak kapag hihimlay na nila ang kanilang mga nasawing mga kamag-anak. Ngayon naitatag na, alay namin sa inyo (Just like what I promised to Ghazali Jaafar that we will establish a Muslim Cemetery in Manila. It used to be just a dream for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the city where many of them, based on my experience for a long time here at the city hall, experienced difficulty when they have to bury their deceased relatives. Now that it is established, we are offering it to you)," he added.
Domagoso inaugurated the Manila's first Islamic Cemetery and Cultural Hall in June 2021z
The Manila Mayor had earlier vowed that he would finish the rehabilitation of Marawi City by December.
The presidential hopeful also previously assured that he will support the continued operations of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).