MUSLIM YUPPIES MAKING DIFFERENCE

A group of young Muslim professionals is putting peace on the agenda in the Philippines - with promising results.

The Young Moro Professionals are the first to admit they face an imposing challenge. Media stereotypes, frustrations with political leadership and a culture of victimisation are only some of the obstacles confronting this group of young Muslims from the Philippines - but they are undaunted.

Formed in 2000, the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) is a group of lawyers, doctors, journalists and other highly educated young people who are trying to correct misconceptions of Muslim communities while improving opportunities and end the ongoing conflict in southern Philippines, which has claimed thousands of lives.

YMPN formed in 2000 to encourage the young Muslim community to seek peace through self-empowerment. This group of self-styled "Muslim yuppies" now has about 100 members involved in peace building in the Philippines. Most are from the Muslim-majority Moro ethnic group originating in the south of the country.

Twelve YMPN members outlined their latest aspirations at a recent meeting supported by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Manila in August. Representatives from Philippines development and policy organisations also joined the discussion. Participants hope the meeting will lead to long-term cooperation on Muslim youth programs.

The frustrations facing many Muslims in the Philippines were a major part of debate. According to YMPN member Zarah Kathleen Alih, media stereotyping and poor media coverage of Muslim peace efforts remain a major problem. "As a Moro [from the southern Philippines], at times it is difficult to prove that we can also [achieve peace, especially women]," Zarah said.

Fellow participant and YMPN member Assad Baunto said the Muslim community needed to overcome a culture of victimisation and start speaking out more strongly.

"We should stop playing victim. We should stop the feeling of helplessness," he said. "Give legitimate criticism to leaders who are not worthy."

Said fellow YMPN member Rasol Mitmug, Jr: "Our locals [in southern Philippines] want leaders who would take care of them. They want good governance, they want a sensitive society which they don't find from the Philippines government, that's why these people are struggling. We should know our people better."

But in Catholic-majority Philippines, the Young Moro Professionals Network appreciates that it needs to look beyond the Muslim community for their work to have a greater impact. The meeting agreed that Mindanao, in southern Philippines, was not for Muslims alone - young Muslim professionals needed to be sensitive to non-Muslims and live peacefully with them.

Some of the YMPN's planned projects apply to people from outside the Islamic community. As participant Al-Nasser Kasim, pointed out, improving education opportunities in southern Philippines would benefit all, not only Muslims.

One YMPN member, Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal, is now studying an AIM Masters in Development through a scholarship grant from the Asian Development Bank. Aleem, who participated in the AMAN School of Peace Studies in early 2007, will help link young Muslim leaders with organisations to build understanding.

Written by Riza Kamal -a YMPN member and journalist working for GMA, a leading Philippines news network.