World

Christians extend helping hand to Muslims, others

by truthcaster | July 18, 2009 at 06:41 pm

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The Iglesia ni Cristo, the largest independent church in Asia, extended a medical mission to its neighbor, including a large population of Filipino Muslims.

A volunteer team composed of 50 doctors, 50 dentists and 100 paramedics arrived before 8 a.m. and set up a large tent at the Maharlika Blue Mosque Park serving as their working area. Residents from the adjoining barangays of Lower Bicutan, Maharlika, Signal Village, and Upper Bicutan lined up as early as 7 a.m. to avail themselves of free medical and dental services.

A grateful Bensaudie Lumenda, administrator of the Maharlika Blue Mosque in the village, said, “On behalf of all the Muslim residents and our non-Muslim neighbors here in Maharlika Village, our heartfelt thanks to Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo. We would also like to extend our greetings to all the brethren on the 95th anniversary of the Church.”

The Iglesia ni Cristo celebrates its 95th year since its emergence in the Philippines on July 27, 1914. Members from 90 countries in 6 continents will converge on several venues to celebrate.

“President Arroyo wishes to congratulate in advance the INC, at present under the stewardship of Executive Minister Ka Eraño G. Manalo and Deputy Executive Minister Ka Eduardo V. Manalo, on this year’s landmark anniversary,” Ermita said in a statement.

In one Philippine city, 500 thousand attendees are expected to converge at a resort to join the world-wide festivities.

An estimated 500,000 well-wishers and guests are expected to congregate on July 27 at Villa Del Sol in this city to celebrate the 95th founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), the “Church of Christ.”

City officials here and those in Angeles City and Mabalacat have declared July 27 a nonworking holiday to allow INC members and well-wishers to celebrate the church’s anniversary.

Fer Caylao, this city’s administrator, said July 27 will be a nonworking holiday for government employees. There will be no classes that day. It will, however, be a working holiday for banking institutions and optional for private businesses.

Caylao said this Friday, the city government, traffic law enforcers and the Philippine National Police plan to conduct a dry run of their rerouting plans and security measures to avoid any untoward incidents for the actual event.

The INC is reported to be conducting all necessary preparations to ensure the success of the celebration, which includes transporting INC congregations, first-aid measures, prayers for the success of the anniversary celebration, and security.