More than 35 organisations from all over the Southeast Asian region attending the 2^nd Meeting of the Southeast Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy (SEAFID) between 12 – 14 August, in Jakarta, Indonesia, made a statement supporting the continuation of the peace process in Mindanao and the lifting of the temporary restraining order by the Philippines Supreme Court.

The conflict in Mindanao became one of the main issues that was discussed in this meeting and the participants unanimously voted to accept the Statement of Support drafted by one of the panel. The Statement made the group in Jakarta is as follows:

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS

Made by the members of the Southeast Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy (SEAFID), Jakarta, Indonesia, 14 August 2008:

We, the undersigned from various organizations from Southeast Asia, attending the 2^nd meeting of the South East Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy (SEAFID) in Jakarta, Indonesia on 12 – 14 August 2008 hereby declare our support to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

We are aware that the signing of Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA - AD) scheduled on the 5^th of August 2008 in Putrajaya, Malaysia has been postponed due to the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines.

We lend our support to different Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Religious Leaders of Mindanao that the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) be lifted and that both parties sign the MOA-AD the soonest possible time. We also hope that the discussion to find a permanent political solution to the conflict in Mindanao can start as soon as possible. 

We call on all the parties to cease the current hostilities including armed engagement that has resulted in the displacement of more that 130,000 people. We also call for humanitarian support for these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and all those affected by the current conflict.

We also call upon the Malaysian government to continue its active role to provide support and facilitation to the present peace process, including monitoring and continuing the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao. 

We hope that the political, business and other national leaders in the Philippines refrain from making uninformed and inflammatory statements that only serve to stoke the flames of conflict in Mindanao.

Lastly, we together with all peace loving peoples of Southeast Asia pray for eventual and lasting peace in Mindanao.  

Endorsed and Signed by:

1.      Associate Professor Dr Kamarulzaman Askandar, Research and Education for Peace, Universiti Sains Malaysia (REPUSM); and Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network (SEACSN)

2.      Hj. Esmael Ebrahim, Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy; Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippines

3.      Ahmad Suaedy, The Wahid Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia

4.      Jajat Burhanudin, Centre for the Study of Islam and Society, Jakarta, Indonesia

5.      Imran Price, Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies, Singapore

6.      Fuad Mardhatillah, The Aceh Institute, Indonesia

7.      Dadi Darmadi, State Islamic University, Jakarta, Indonesia

8.      Abdul Mu’ti, Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilisations )CDCC), Jakarta, Indonesia

9.      Clare Harvey, The Asia Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia

10.  Budhy Munawar-Rachman, The Asia Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia

11.  Hamid A. Bara, Empowering the Ulama Project, PCID; Mindanao State University, King Faisal Center for Islam, Arabic, and Asian Studies, Philippines

12.  Carmen Abubakar, Institute for Islamic Studies, University of Philippines, Diliman, Philippines

13.  Amina Rasul, Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy

14.  Santanina Rasul, Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc., Philippines

15.  Habib Churzin, Forum on Peace, Human Rights, and Development, Indonesia

16.  Maarof Salleh, Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies, Singapore

17.  Nasser Manohomasilie, Union of Muslims for Morality and Truth, Myanmar

18.  Mohd. Roslan Mohd. Nor, Persatuan Ulama Malaysia, Malaysia

19.  Abdul Rahman Awang, Shura, Malaysia

20.  Dr. Mashur Bin-Ghalib Jundam, PCID, CMM, University of Philippines, Institute for Islamic Studies, Philippines

21.  Ahmad Somboon Bualuang, TCMD, Thailand

22.  Radziah Abdul Rahim, University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

23.  Arif Zamhah, Nadtlatul Ulama, Indonesia

24.  Jajat Burhanudin, Center for the Study of Islam and Society, Jakarta, Indonesia

25.  Syafiq Hasyim, International Center for Islam and Pluralism, Indonesia

26.  Sukree Langputeh, Southern Thailand Universities for Peace (STUfPeace), Thailand

27.  Teerawut Muhummud, TCMD, Thailand

28.  Chrisian Kus, IIEC, Indonesia

29.  Radjimo Sastro Wijono, International Center for Islam and Pluralism, Indonesia

30.  Elfira D. Siregar, International Center for Islam and Pluralism, Indonesia

31.  Taharudin P. Ampatuan, PCID, Philippines

32.  Chamamah, AISYIYAH, Indonesian Women Wing of Muhammadiyah

33.  Hj. Zaid Kamaruddin, Pertubuhan Jamaaf Islah Malaysia (JIM), Malaysia

Jakarta, Indonesia
14 August 2008

(source: http://www.mindanews.com/)