Maltreating or hurting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is not part of the teachings of Islam.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla stressed this Wednesday after watching the videos presented by Sen. Raffy Tulfo as part of his privilege speech showing OFWs being maltreated in countries, including those in the Middle East.
Padilla, whose Muslim name is Abdul Aziz, said he felt hurt after learning that some of the countries where the abuses occurred were predominantly Muslim – such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
“Meron lang po akong gustong linawin. Ang mga ganap na ito ay hindi po katuruan ng Muslim. Wala po ito sa katuruan namin. Katunayan, ang turo po sa amin ng Propetang Mohammad, kailanman kahit sinong tao dapat tratuhin mong pantay-pantay lalo na po ang tinatawag nating servants, kasambahay, katulong. Sila po ay pinoproteksyunan ng Islam (I want to make one thing clear. These are not what Islam teaches. Islam and the Prophet Mohammad teach us to treat everyone equally, especially servants and helpers. They are protected by Islam),” said Padilla.
“Kaya po sana hinihingi ko ang patawad ng aking mga kababayan sa ganap na ito sapagka’t ang mga gumagawa po nito ay matatawag nating mga Arabo. Huwag po natin tawagin na mga Muslim (I ask for forgiveness from my fellow Filipinos for what was done by these Arabs. They should not be called Muslims),” he added.
Padilla sought help from Sen. Tulfo to aid our OFWs by preparing them for their country of destination through basic education on the language and culture of the host country.
He likewise stressed that those who are found to be negligent for the plight of the OFWs should be punished.
“Intindihin ninyo, patawarin nyo po kami sa kagagawan ng aming mga kapatid kung sila ay talagang karumal dumal po. Gusto ko ang linawin na wala itong kinalaman sa Islam. Yun lang po (I ask for understanding and forgiveness for these dastardly acts. I want to make clear that these have nothing to do with Islam),” Padilla said.
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