ARMM holds forum on Islamic Heritage

Cotabato City (June 2, 2018) – The Bureau on Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BCH-ARMM) conducted a forum on Islamic heritage on Wednesday, May 30, as part of the National Heritage Month celebration.

Engr. Marites K. Maguindra, BCH-ARMM executive director, said the forum highlighted the Islamic heritage of the Moro people and its influence in their culture.

“It is very timely that we have this activity because it is the Holy month of Ramadhan. Also, in this activity, we want to help ensure the preservation of this heritage for the sake of future generations," she said.

Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Abdurrahman Udasan, the guest speaker, said the most important Islamic heritage is the glorious Qur’an, which is a blessing from ALLAH (S.W.T.) and a guide to all Muslims.

“In this sense, we have to rely on the Qur’an in recording the history of Islam. It plays the role of correcting all the corruptions and extortions,” he said.

Representatives from different agencies of the ARMM participated in the activity. It was also supported by the Regional Darul Ifta’ and the Bureau of Madaris Education of the region's Department of Education.

The highlight of the activity was an open forum on Islamic heritage that encompasses Islamic history; culture and traditions; beliefs and practices; and marriage and family values.

A panel discussion was opened after the talk of the Grand Mufti and was facilitated by experts on Islamic studies namely Ustadz Alzad Sattar, Bureau of Madaris Education representative, and Ustadza Jihan Batiting, Bangsamoro Development Agency representative.

During the discussion, it was clarified that not all cultural practices are still in accordance with the teachings of Islam and that is why it is important to take a look on the deeper sense of Islam for Muslims and to be guided on everything without compromising culture.

“We must examine our culture. If these cultural practices are inconsistent with the teachings of Islam, then we must avoid doing them,” Ustadz Sattar stressed.

The 2018 National Heritage Month celebration carries the theme, ‘Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana’. It highlights the role of a common heritage as a unifying force, contributing to national unity.

Moreover, the celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 439 series of 2003 that declares May as National Heritage Month. This is in recognition of the need to create among the Filipino people consciousness, respect, and love for the legacies of the Filipino cultural history. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Pagadian Frontline)