SARANGANI PROVINCE -- A group of young Moro volunteers
has been selling shirts as its initiative to raise funds that benefits the
Maranaos displaced by the Marawi siege.
“This is our way of helping Maranao brothers and sisters
displaced due to the armed confrontation in Marawi City,” said Bai Ashrafia
Alonto Biruar, one of the conveners of We Are Marawi Fundraiser Team, in an
interview.
On May 23, 2017, the combined forces of Abu Sayaff and
Maute Terror Groups staged an attack in Marawi City which prompted President
Rodrigo Duterte to declare Martial Law in Mindanao.
She said the social media is a big help in promoting the
fundraising drive.
“After posting it on facebook, we got positive response,
more orders from here and abroad suddenly came,” Biruar added.
She said the "We Are Marawi" shirts are
currently being produced in the cities of Cotabato, Iligan and Davao.
The volunteers have already brought two batches of relief
goods to the IDPs staying in Lanao del Norte.
“We were able to give food packs, prayer mats, prayer
dress, hygienic kits and toys for the children,” Biruar related.
The group, which is comprised of young Moro professionals
and students, is contemplating of coming up with new design for the shirt with
more active and positive slogan.
Biruar is optimistic that the battle in Marawi will end
soon.
The team also urge the public to help in rebuilding the
town which is also known as the only Islamic City in the Philippines.
The shirt can be viewed in facebook using hashtag
#wearemarawi. The item costs PHP299 with different sizes available for adult
and children. It was designed by Ameen Andrew Alonto, an artist, photographer
and peace advocate.
