Hataman approves creation of ARMM Islamic advisory council

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=826077
• Thursday, November 12, 2015

(PNA), JBP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Nov. 12 (PNA) -- Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Wednesday approved a legislation establishing a regional religious authority to help address contemporary issues and challenges faced by Filipino Muslims.

Hataman signed into law Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act (MMA) No. 323 or An Act Creating the ARMM Regional “Darul Ifta.” The law institutionalizes the “Darul Ifta” or the Islamic advisory council in the region.

ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly House Speaker Ronnie Sinsuat, members of the region's legislative assembly and some religious leaders (muftun) from different provinces of the region attended the signing.

Sinsuat said the RDI shall be primarily responsible for the promulgation and issuance of legal opinions (fatwa)pertaining to Muslim personal laws and jurisprudence pursuant to Article VIII, Section 20 of Republic Act 9054 or the act strengthening and expanding the organic act for the ARMM.

Hataman said the body will advise and serve as consultant to the regional government of the ARMM and the RLA on matters pertaining to Islamic laws, jurisprudence and ecclesiastical matters and serve as the “religious guide” of ARMM leaders, bureaucrats and professionals, including those in the local government units.

He said the regional government has earmarked PHP5 million for the initial operation of the RDI from the unexpended fund of the Office of the Regional Treasury (ORT) and its succeeding annual budget will be provided for in the Local Appropriations Act.

Hataman reiterated that the creation of the RDI will help unite all the Bangsamoro in the region and will boost good governance.

“This office will recognize rights and well-being of the Bangsamoro due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, and further ensures their contribution to the regional government’s goals and aspirations,” Sinsuat said.

The MMA 323 also calls for the establishment of RDI provincial offices in each of the five component provinces of the ARMM, namely Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The provincial office shall be headed by a Provincial Mufti who shall be selected from among the resident Ulamas (Islamic preachers) in the particular province.

Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, regional grand mufti, said they will work, collaborate and cooperate with the international, national, regional and local bodies on matters of mutual interest and benefit, such as “halal” businesses, marriages, hajj (pilgrimage), professional engagement, intellectual exchange and academic discourses.

In September 2013, Hataman institutionalized the “juris consult” (Islamic advisory body) in the region through Executive Order No. 009 series of 2014 to help oversee the conduct of religious activities and the propagation of the Islamic faith in ARMM.