DAVAO CITY (October 14)— The Islamic scholars from all over the country vowed to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), as it commend the government for standing by its commitment in the quest for peace in Mindanao.
In a statement, the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP), a national network of Ulama and Ulama organizations in the Philippines, commended the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for their continued commitment to pursue peace based on justice to resolve the Mindanao question.
The NUCP lauded the Congress and the Senate for passing the bill and President Rodrigo Duterte for signing it into law.
The group vowed to support the effort in attaining peace in the island.
The NUCP, in a statement, described the passage of the BOL, as “a milestone towards the realization of self-determination for the Bangsamoro, as well as of peace and development for all peoples of Mindanao.”
They said the law is widely accepted and adopted by the Bangsamoro people through a consultation conducted by the MILF leadership during the Bangsamoro General Assembly on July 27, 2018 in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The scholars said they welcome the developments as they are prepared and united to face the challenges in winning the hearts and minds of the electorate for the ratification of the BOL, in a plebiscite on January 21, 2019.
The NUCP vowed to take part in the capacity development towards building the foundation of the Bangsamoro governance and it will provide guidance and awareness for the ratification of the BOL.
They are appealing to the electorate in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region “To ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the name of peace, development and justice for all. Towards this end, the NUCP, through its Ulama members and affiliated Islamic organizations, shall participate in the information drive for a better understanding of the BOL, and in campaigning for its eventual acceptance by our people.”
The BOL aims to establish a new Bangsamoro entity that would replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
It proposes the inclusion of the provinces under the ARMM and several other areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato.
President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier called on the Bangmoro people to actively participate in the upcoming plebiscite for the BOL.
The statement was signed Dr. Hamid A. Barra-NUCP President, representing Marawi City, Prof. Moner M. Bajunaid-Secretary General of SoCSKSarGen; togetehr with the board of rtustees Mufti Dr. Aboulkhair S. Tarason of Basilan, Mufti Abdulwahid A. Inju of Tawi-Tawi, Amufti Sharif Jul Asiri J. Abirin of Sulu, Mufti Abdulwakil S. Tanjili, representing Region 9 and Palawan, Mutfti Jaafar M. Ali of Central Mindanao, Ustadz Esmael Q. Ebrahim of Cotabato City, Dr. Abdulssalam M. Disomimba of Lanao del Norte, Alim Aboali J. Cali of Lanao del Sur, Alim Abdulmajid B. Said of Visayas, Prof. Abdukhadi T. Daguit of Luzon and National Capital Region, Dr. Amena M. Macabero epresenting the ‘Alimaat (Women Religious Sector), Prof. Zakiyyah Sagola D. Tago
Representing Noorus Salam (Women Civil Society Sector) and Brother Abdullah B. Borres Representing the Balik Islam Community — with Hamid Aminoddin Barra, Moner Bajunaid and Dr-Ali Panda. – Taher G. Solaiman/NewsLine.ph
