Muslim religious scholars partner with LGUs to combat spread of radicalism

These extremist groups are using the creed of Islam. As a matter of fact, they are using the socalled 13 doctrines of Islam and citing verses of the Holy Quran in justifying their criminal and inhumane acts. We can’t allow that and we will not allow that.

MUSLIM RELIGIOUS scholars, known as Ulama, are launching a multi-disciplinary program to prevent the spread of radicalism and extremism in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). “We are engaging all sectors to address the spread of religious extremism and radicalism in the country,” Abdulmuhmin Alyakanie Mujahid, the executive director of the Darul Ifta, or the Fatwa Council of the ARMM, said in a statement issued yesterday. The program will be piloted in the island province of Basilan. Last June 8, Islamic scholars in Basilan forged several agreements with the regional and provincial governments, as well as with line agencies, to carry out “multi approaches” for the “ideological war” against extremists. “We are going to implement it in the different parts of the region. We are piloting this initiative in Basilan. We will conduct an assessment and fine-tune it before implementing it in other provinces,” Mr. Mujahid said. The effort, he noted, is an offshoot of the Ulama Summit held in Cotabato City in early May. During the summit, the Ulama issued a declaration against terrorism, saying that “It is Haram (forbidden and unlawful) to use Islam to justify or legitimize violent extremism and terrorism.” Alih Aiyub, secretary-general of the Ulama Council of the Philippines, said they have identified “seven interventions” aimed at “concretizing preventing violent extremism and countering violent extremism.” The program will include spiritual, educational, social, psychological and skills-training aspects.

— Abdulmuhmin Alyakanie Mujahid, executive director of the Darul Ifta, or the Fatwa Council of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao