Series of Ramadhan Forum is happening again this year at Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Central Mindanao Region through its youth development program (YDP).

With a theme “purifying the hearth of the Muslim youth for transformative ventures”, Ramadhan Forum 2015 kicked off on June 21, 2015 at Conference Hall, Department of Education, Cotabato City Division, ORC Village, Cotabato City.

Alimodin Pinamaloy, Regional Program Coordinator of YDP said, “sponsoring Ramadhan forum has been a regular activity of the region since 2011 in commemoration and observance of the holy month of Ramadhan”.

”It refreshes the participants that fasting in the month of Ramadhan is obligatory and it has corresponding punishment if omitted without reasonable cause; it energizes them to strengthen their ibadah (worship) specially during this month; reminds them of the significance of fasting to the Bangsamoro along with their continuing centuries-old struggle for freedom and self-determination, and enjoins them learn lessons not just for the Bangsamoro but the Muslim Ummah”, he added.

The forum formally started with the words of wisdom delivered by Sheik Abdulrasheed Ambil, regional institutional development officer (RIDO) of BDA-CenMin followed by opening remark.

It was attended by 271 participants composed of college students from different schools, colleges and universities in Cotabato City.

Some of the participants were volunteers and staff from BDA-CenMin Region, and professionals from government and non-government organizations in Cotabato City.

Two speakers were invited to give lectures on the significance of Ramadhan and the benefits of Ramadhan on our health in the persons of Sheikh Abuhuraira Edza and Dr. Rizaldy Piang, M.D, former Regional Manager of BDA-CenMin and now member of the Board of Directors of the Agency,

According to Akmad Agao, former Coordinator of YDP in this region and now secretary of the program, the participants were very much eager to learn from the lectures.

“This was manifested by their attentiveness in listening while enthusiastically wrote down every main points of the lecturers”, Akmad added.

Marbawe Edza, chief of planning, monitoring & evaluation section of BDA-CenMin Region and, the same time, one of the participants of the forum said, “the lectures were understandably presented to the participants”.

“Our interest and commitment to fast for the month of Ramadhan are multiplied and strengthened because of the lectures of Sheikh Abuhuraira Edza,” he added.

Edza further said, we also learned from the lecture of Dr. Piang which is the benefits of fasting during the month of Ramadhan in our health.

Presentation on BDA

Other important presentations were also included such as what BDA is and what YDP is which were presented by Karnain Mamalangkas, BDA-CenMin Region program coordination officer and Dr. Zulkarnain Abas, consultant of YDP and volunteer of the same region.

According to Akmad Agao, the presentation of Dr. Zulkarnain Abas started from the conceptualization of YPD way back January2011 at BDA-RMO Central Mindanao which arose out of the assessment of the BDA-RMO CenMin on the issues confronting the Bangsamoro youth.

Dr. Abas emphasized that the objectives of the program is to inculcate into the personality of the Bangsamoro youth the proper perspectives, values, attitudes, and skills so that they may become the “agents of change” that the BDA has envisioned, Agao added.

Agao also stressed that Dr. Abas clarified to the participants the plans and strategies for the 30-year implementation plan of the program.

YDP according to Maamon Ebrahim, assistant regional coordinator of the program, has direct bearing and contribution to the BDA in relation to its slogan, building people who will build the nation, because it is developing the youth, it is preparing the youth as successors for our tomorrows.

“That is why, BDA-CenMin Region through YDP sustains and strengthens its operation from regional, provincial, municipal and barangay levels to develop and prepare the youth in order for them to become pious and responsible agent of change for sustainable peace and holistic development, “Ebrahim added.

BDA-CenMin Region, the proponent of YDP, remains firm and committed to support and strengthens its operation in line with the regional program on youth development.