While some Muslims in Western Mindanao welcome the proposed creation of National Commission for Muslims, others are not, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which branded it as an antidote to the realization of genuine self-governance for the Bangsamoro people.
Muslim leaders and scholars in Zamboanga Peninsula, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, who attended the hearing jointly conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committees on Government Reorganization and Muslim Affairs at the Western Mindanao State University last week, generally expressed support to the bill.
They welcomed the proposal because this would be of great help to the Muslim populace in the country, especially in terms of settling the different issues the Muslims are facing, and giving full representation of all the Muslim ethnic tribes as well as sectors in the country, “thus ensuring equal services for all.”
But Khaled Musa, MILF information deputy chairman, said that while he has all the respects for the proponents of the bill, the bill will only serve as the vehicle for further integrating the Moro into the national body politics, and that the creation of offices is not guarantee that the rights and interests of the Bangsamoro people are guaranteed, protected, and promoted.
Proponents of the new bill said the office will have seven commissioners — five commissioners representing different Muslim tribes in the country, and two commissioners from Muslim women and Ulama (religious leaders and scholars).
The bill is a consolidation of house bills numbers 823, 2347, and 2379 that would establish an agency and abolish OMA. The proposed commission for Muslims will be under the Office of the President. It also spells out the different services of the proposed commission such as administrative, finance and management, planning, and legal.
The commission will have its Hajj Attache and Amirul Hajj, who will help Filipino Muslim pilgrims. It will also have seven commissioners; five representing different Muslim tribes in the country. It will also have its different bureaus, particularly focusing on economic affairs, Muslim cultural affairs, Muslim settlement, and pilgrimage and endowment. The committees are also adopting the inclusion of Bureau on Halal Certification. (HG)
Muslim leaders and scholars in Zamboanga Peninsula, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, who attended the hearing jointly conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committees on Government Reorganization and Muslim Affairs at the Western Mindanao State University last week, generally expressed support to the bill.
They welcomed the proposal because this would be of great help to the Muslim populace in the country, especially in terms of settling the different issues the Muslims are facing, and giving full representation of all the Muslim ethnic tribes as well as sectors in the country, “thus ensuring equal services for all.”
But Khaled Musa, MILF information deputy chairman, said that while he has all the respects for the proponents of the bill, the bill will only serve as the vehicle for further integrating the Moro into the national body politics, and that the creation of offices is not guarantee that the rights and interests of the Bangsamoro people are guaranteed, protected, and promoted.
Proponents of the new bill said the office will have seven commissioners — five commissioners representing different Muslim tribes in the country, and two commissioners from Muslim women and Ulama (religious leaders and scholars).
The bill is a consolidation of house bills numbers 823, 2347, and 2379 that would establish an agency and abolish OMA. The proposed commission for Muslims will be under the Office of the President. It also spells out the different services of the proposed commission such as administrative, finance and management, planning, and legal.
The commission will have its Hajj Attache and Amirul Hajj, who will help Filipino Muslim pilgrims. It will also have seven commissioners; five representing different Muslim tribes in the country. It will also have its different bureaus, particularly focusing on economic affairs, Muslim cultural affairs, Muslim settlement, and pilgrimage and endowment. The committees are also adopting the inclusion of Bureau on Halal Certification. (HG)
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