Muslims in the Philippines

Cady Barrett
25 September 2008
Religious Conflicts

Conflicts are arising in the Philippines this week with the discrimination of Muslims. Even though there is religious freedom in the Philippines, Muslims still believe that they are not being offered the economic opportunities that others in the country are. The Christian majority, they believe, are at fault for the ethnic, religious, and cultural discrimination of the group. Over the years that Muslims have been integrating into other countries and cultures, the discrimination has been recorded. For example young Muslim professionals have been pegged as less-educated. Some have had difficulty renting rooms or being hired for labor work because of their traditional ware or names. Some Muslims have even gone as far as to wear Christian names and wearing Western clothing.
The government though has said it has tried to promote interfaith trust and respect. With all of the religious and cultural groups, the amount of communities that are blending is large. The U.S government even talks with the Philippine government about religious equality as being a part of their human rights agenda.
Muslims account for around 5% of the population and is the largest minority religious group. Some groups that make up the less than 5% of the population include Seventh-day Adventists, Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and Philippine (Southern) Baptists.

It never ceases to amaze me at the amount of discrimination of religion in the world. Even the way they dress reveals their religion and works against them. The most amazing thing to me though is the fact that they right against the discrimination and stay true to their faith. When they can’t however, as in trying to get a job, I can see why it would be easier to put on Western clothes and pretend.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122644/US-Religious-discrimination-contributes-to-RP-conflicts