Bangsamoro execs seek dual use of Hijri, Gregorian calendars in official documents
DAVAO CITY—A Bangsamoro legislator has filed a bill mandating the dual use of the Hijri and Gregorian calendars in the region in their documents and communications and to familiarize the region’s residents about the two calendars.
The bill was already a step closer to final approval after the Bangsamoro Parliament, currently constituting the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), passed it on second reading on July 15.
BTA Bill 87, or The Dual Calendar Act of 2021, was principally authored by Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser C. Sema.
Sema said in his bill that Muslims around the world use the Hijri or Islamic calendar to determine the dates of religious events and observances. It consists of the following 12 months: Muharram; Safar; Rabi Al-awwal; Rabi Ath-thani/rabi Al-akhir; Jumada Al-ula; Jumada Ath-thaniyah/jumada Al-akhirah; Rajab; Sha’ban; Ramadan; Shawwal; Dhul Qi’dah; and, Dhul Hijjah.
The Gregorian calendar is the one universally used by countries.
The bill aims to promote “inclusion in all public transactions and develop familiarity of the constituency on the Hijri and Gregorian calendars. It also intends to familiarize the public with the calendar that emanated from the migration of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah.”
Under the proposed measure, the date on the Hijrah calendar should appear first before the date over the Gregorian calendar in writing the date of official documents and communication.
To implement the said measure, the office of the Darul-ifta would be initially funded with P10 million, which shall be sourced from any available funds of the ban gs a moro government.
The Darul-ifta is Islam’s house of jurisprudence, which issues fatwah or religious ruling and issuances on the conduct and understanding of political and social events and activities. In funding the office, the bill said the Darul Ifta would serve as the consultant of the Office of the Chief Minister on religious affairs.
MNLF members
ANOTHER bill was introduced “to honor the valor of the Top 90 and Top 300 core members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).”
The bill seeks to recognize the important contribution of the “young brave men in preserving the safety and well-being of the Bangsamoro people.” The bill was filed by Amir Mawallil, lawyers Rasol Y. Mitmug Jr., Suharto M. Ambolodto and Laisa Alamia, Baintan Adil-ampatuan, Sittie Shahara Mastura, Don Loong, Rasul Ismael and Abraham Burahan.
The authors described the Top 90 as those who came from the various Moro ethnolinguistic groups and “who questioned the socio-political landscape in Mindanao and sought to address social injustices against the Bangsamoro people.” They eventually formed the MNLF.
In 1972, the MNLF’S Top 90 core members grew and recruited 300 young Muslims to join the group.
“It is strange, however, that until today one cannot find a fitting monument in the Barmm [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] that would serve as a lasting memorial to these courageous men who fought to assert our rights and affirm our distinct historical identity and birthright from those who attempted to subdue it,” the bill’s explanatory read.
The authors said that the Barmm needed a memorial “that will be visited and revered by all, particularly by the present and future generations.”
“The Top 90 and 300 core members, the unsung champions of the Bangsamoro struggle, should be given proper recognition for the bravery they have manifested in continuously fighting for our rights,” the authors said in the explanatory note.