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Basilan's two powerful clans to sign a peace covenant today to restore peace and order through unity, reconciliation and sustain socio-economic stability in the island province.

OIC Governor Mujiv S. Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Basilan Governor Jum Akbar will vow to exhaust all possible means to promote peace and development in their province.

The covenant is brokered by Muslim-Christian religious leaders, national and local government officials for reconciliation and unity between the Hataman clan and the Akbar clan.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jesse Robredo and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Sec. Teresita Deles are the national guests who confirmed their presence to witness the signing of peace covenant.

Secretaries Robredo and Deles will give their respective "peace and unity messages" before the different stakeholders of Basilan during a program that will be held at 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Basilan State College gymnasium in Sumagdang, Isabela City.

The program will also highlight the recitation of Ayatul Qurán by Ust. Ibrahim Mutahayin, regional champion of the reading Qur'an; welcome address by Nasser salain, Ed.D, president of Basilan State College; rationale of Pag Duwa'a by Mr. Suwaib Ismael, PARO-DAR, Basilan; inspirational message by Ust. Abdulbaki Abubakar, Mufti in Region 9; solidarity messages by Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, chairman of the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council; Rev. Fr. martin Jumoad, bishop Basilan Province; Hon. Alih Sali, mayor of Akbar Municipality; Hon. Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul, vice governor of Basilan; and intermission by Datu Khomeinie Bansuan, Bangsamoro artist.

In support to the unity and reconciliation efforts, lawmakers of the Regional Legislative Assembly-ARMM (RLA-ARMM) headed by Speaker Rasul Mitmug Jr. and Majority Floor Leader Romeo Sema will conduct their first "out of town" executive meeting in Lamitan City.

Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, president of the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council (BUSC), gives credit to the collaborative effort of the leaders and the cooperation most especially of the local residents in the pursuit of common goals that led to the reconciliation.

"Alhamdullillah, with the grace and mercy of Almighty Allah our dream of attaining peace, unity and reconciliation among our leaders in Basilan has finally come to reality," Tarason said.

Last May 21, 2012, the BUSC had successfully conducted the Islamic counseling to Akbar-Hataman clans held at Garden Orchid in Zamboanga City, where Governor Hataman and his elder brother Basilan Congressman Jim Hataman met Governor Akbar and RLA-ARMM assemblywoman Rajam Akbar.

The meeting was reasonably and very cordial where both sides sent clear messages of unity and promotion of smooth relationship among the leaders and the whole constituency of ARMM.

In a statement, Hataman said it will be an insult of his leadership being the highest official in ARMM and a resident of Basilan for that matter if he could not make a difference in the lives of his fellow Basilenos.

He had earlier said that as a leader they have to set themselves as models to their constituents.

Likewise, the chief executive affirmed that the reconciliation with the Akbar family is a very welcome development to him not because he is the ARMM regional governor but because they are also mandated by law to preserve peace and development in the region.

Hataman appealed: "Let's put legacy to our people in terms of peace and unity. Let's show to other non-ARMM provinces as well as the national leadership that we can settle our own problems without so much burden to other people."

Akbar, meantime, encouraged the public officials and all Basilenos to be united in the name of peace. She admonished everyone to sacrifice personal interest and promote general welfare of the people.

The lady governor said that for and on behalf of the Akbar Clan, she is hoping that for the greater interest of peace and development in Basilan she is willing to forget all the pains and sacrifices suffered by her and the family of the late Cong. Wahab Akbar.

She also stressed that what is past is already past and let be judged by Almighty Allah.

The historic event today is themed "Solidarity Towards Peace and Development in Basilan."

By Hader Glang