Mindanao State University graduates pray for peace in Marawi City

Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi campus graduates expressed their desire to help revive Marawi City.

GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported for "24 Oras" that the graduates made the pledge when they attended the formal graduation rites that were held in Iligan City because of the ongoing siege in the Islamic City.

According to MSU System President Dr. Habib Macaayong, out of 2,200 graduating students only about 1,900 students were able to attend the ceremony as some students had fled to far-flung provinces.

To ensure the safety of the students, the graduation ceremony, which was earlier postponed for two weeks, took place in MSU - Iligan Institute of Technology.

The graduates felt joy and sadness despite achieving their dream because they thought of the plight of Marawi City and its residents.

During the graduation ceremony, the fervent prayer of the graduates was for peace in the region.

Sohanie Balt, one of the graduates, recalled how peaceful was Marawi City before.

"'Yung lola ko, 'yung ancestors namin lumaki sila sa Marawi na very peaceful. Kung matapos na sana, Inshallah... 'yung Marawi siege na 'to is sana wala nang martial law," Balt said.

For Junaina Sharief, she expressed hope that hostilities will soon be over.

"Kung pwede lang sana pagbalik namin doon, wala na. Pag-uwi namin bukas wala na. Pero wala kaming choice," Sharief said.

Despite the struggle, the graduates and their parents vowed to help in the recovery and rehabilitation of the besieged city.

"People have given us negative connotation when in fact we are the same people po just that we are from different religion. Our aspiration as of now is the thought of us being able to alleviate in the least minimal way na pwede po naming magawa for our kababayan," said Muhammad Zakaria Gunting.

Even their parents were emotional because of the ongoing gunfight between government troops and members of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in their hometown.

"Emosyonal lang dahil sa Marawi... masakit. Hanapin kung ano mang bagong buhay natin after sa gulo," parent Allan Sharief tearfully said.

The MSU system president said the Marawi campus is safe even if the gunfighting continues.

"We will definitely open the first semester by August. Meron kaming security force pero dinagdagan ng Marines," said Dr. Macaayong. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA News