MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Local executives endorsed a proposed regional law requiring all municipal and provincial governments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to put up public cemeteries for their Muslim constituents.
The Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) Bill No. 04 was authored by Maguindanao second district assemblyman Khadafeh Mangudadatu.
The league of municipal mayors in the province promised to support the enactment of the proposed law during a public consultation in Buluan town over the weekend.
Some local officials recommended that the Muslim cemeteries be managed by members of the Darul Iftah, or the Islamic House of Opinions, which is composed of senior clerics based in the ARMM provinces.
Ustadz Esmael Ibrahim, a commissioner in the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), explained to participants the relevance of establishing such cemeteries. He urged ARMM communities to support the initiative.
Ibrahim said the NCMF supports the RLA Bill 04.
So does Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, who said the bill would institutionalize a free burial system for Muslims in all parts of the autonomous region.
Mangudadatu said his family would donate a piece of land in their hometown of Buluan to be used as Muslim public cemetery once the law is enacted.