MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur/May 23, 2024 – It’s exactly seven years ago today when the so-called terrorist group laid a siege on the Islamic City of Marawi. Dubbed as Marawi Siege of 2017, the devastating attack had inflicted on about a hundred thousand Muslim civilians, or even more, to run away from their homes and became internally displace persons (IDP). Majority of the evacuees have not returned to their homes. Of course many were provided with shelters but these are not what they deserved best as victims of the most destructive war in modern times in the country.

The government celebrates this day as a liberation of Marawi from the terrorist groups, especially of the IDPs. Yet, what we only see are government facilities being built but not the houses of the IDP’s though many are given meager amount to relieve their agony and even in installment — but not the liberation of their emotional and human sufferings being haunted by the dark reality of being displaced with their close loved ones killed.

While our political leaders are now busy working for their own career stability and personal interest, it’s said they care less about the welfare of the evacuees of the 2017 Marawi Siege who are still lamenting for 7 years and are not compensated fairly and justly by the government. These political leaders are not the ones to pay for the compensation but it is expected they insist for the commensurate atonement of thee agony of the Marawi Siege victims.

This unfair and unjust compensation puts the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) as subject of criticism. But we are glad there are a few of us who talk publicly about the sufferings of the 2017 Marawi Siege IDP’s. I commend Atty. Bayan G. Balt and Marawi Sultan Abdul Hamidullah T. Atar and the concerned others for airing their concerns of the IDP’s plight. May Allah give you more strength for your noble deeds.

The question now is: Until when shall the Marawi Siege victims wait with their destroyed houses and properties totally be compensated and their lost loved ones attain justice? Seven years and still counting is too long an agony for the Muslim community.