Muslim clerics seek Bangsamoro role

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 5): Muslim clerics seek Bangsamoro role

Marawi City – Local ulama (Muslim clerics) are seeking the creation of a Darul Ifta (House of Opinion) for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) towards the succeeding Bangsamoro entity to help dispense just governance under Islamic norms, in harmony with the Philippine Constitution and applicable laws.

The quest topped various aspirations raised by the ulama groups during separate consultations last February 8 here, and in Zamboanga City last February 16 and 17, according to former Lanao del Sur Board Member Saad Amate, an alim (singular of ulama).

“We have repeatedly raised many issues about Muslims in Mindanao, but we never got any attention to the side of Ulama,” Amate, one of the organizers of the consultations, said.

Amate hinted at a reported existence of an ARMM regional Darul Ifta, which he said should be institutionalized for the smooth operation of the proposed Bangsamoro entity, a geo-political region designed to replace the 24-year-old existing system.

He said the ARMM officials and the ulama groups from various institutions, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), had aired “unanimous desire for the creation of a regional Darul Iftah.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/muslim-clerics-seek-bangsamoro-role/