By: Emma Pabera

The Bad Guys!
Would you believe that it is only in Pakistan that I have spoken to Filipino boys and Muslim men in general? It sounds strange, but it is true. The Muslim are in Mindanao, in Southern Philippines, while I am from Negros in Western Visayas. All the stories I read and heard about Muslim brothers and sisters are negative. This is the reason why I had developed a bias and negative attitude towards them. Muslim in the Philippines are known to be brave and warlike people. Most pirates are Muslims. They cannot be trusted some say.

Bamboo for Revenge
Some people say that when a Muslim is offended, he plants a bamboo tree. When the bamboo grows, that means you must be careful and better hide your life, because by hook he will get to kill you, and even your whole family. And if the bamboo dies, he will forget his anger.

The Original Moro-Moro
When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, they often forcibly introduced Christianity, which is symbolized by the cross linked to the sword. Only the Muslim on the south were not converted to Christianity. They bravely fought and resisted. In our early literature, the Spaniards introduced the “Moro Moro”, a form of a drama which portrays the life struggle and conflict between the Christians and the Muslims. Always the Muslims are the antagonist and the protagonists are the Christians.

You Might be Raped
Coming to Pakistan. I carried with me this negative impression. One friend, trying to discourage me from coming to Pakistan me from coming to Pakistan said: “Why Pakistan? Would you like to be raped there?” I was not sure if he was only joking or was serious.

Muslims are Good too
I am almost a year and a half here in Pakistan. My experience of living with and among the Muslim is good. Before, I thought only the Christians were good. Now I learned that Christians that Christian do not have the monopoly on goodness. There is always that goodness in everyone. People are alike, regardless of country, race, creed, and color of the skin.

Belen
When we were learning the language, we lived with a Muslim family. Now in our assigned parish, we still live with a Muslim family. Both families are very good to us. They treat us as one of the members of the family. Sometimes I forget they are Muslims. During Christmas they would come along with their relatives and friends to see our little “Belen”, (we live upstairs), and the Christmas tree. The children especially, are happy to see the Christmas lights. The shepherd and the sheep, Joseph and Mary, the Angel and the Baby Jesus. I was glad I had a chance to introduce Jesus to children. Last Christmas Eve, two of their teen-age daughters came with us to the Church. They stayed until the long celebration was finished. They also gave us food and gifts at Christmas. Everytime they cook their favorite Pakistani food, they share it with us, and we did the same with them.

Cobwebs on the Post Box
Recently I met a group of young Muslim Filipino boys who are in Lahore, studying Islam.  We shared our common experience of joys and pains. One of them shared that for three years here in Pakistan, he has never spoken to a young woman. In the Philippines they are free to talk to women, Muslim and Christian. One is receiving any word from home for five months. How anxious they were they were to see their post office box everyday, only to find cobwebs in it. We both missed our family and friends at home. Being far from them we need their moral support. To receive letters from them is for us a great joy and a big help.

Meeting Far from Home
I was glad of this opportunity to meet and know more about our Muslim brothers and sisters here in Pakistan, hoping that this is only the beginning of our dialog of Life and Faith.