Ulama conference vows support to BOL

COTABATO CIT Y: The National Ulama Conference of the Philippines ( NUCP), a network of scholars and religious leaders akin to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP) expressed full support to the Bangsamoro Organic Law ( BOL).

Hamid Barra, NUCP president representing Marawi City, on Sunday said passage of the BOL in both houses of Congress and its signing into law by President Rodrigo Duterte is a milestone towards the realization of self- determination for the Bangsamoro, as well as of peace and development for all peoples of Mindanao.

The NUCP also commended the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for continued commitment to pursue peace based on justice to resolve the Mindanao question.

The expression of support was adopted by the Bangsamoro people during its assembly on July 27 in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“As we welcome all these developments, we must be prepared and united to face the challenges in winning the hearts and minds of the electorate for plebiscite on the 21st of January next year, and take part in the capacity development towards building the foundation of the Bangsamoro governance,” said Moner Bajunaid, NUCP secretary- general representing Socsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos).

The NUCP urges the electorate in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to ratify the BOL in the name of peace, development and justice for all, Bajunaid added.

It also quoted one of the verses of the Holy Qur’an in Surah alMa’idah 5:2, “And help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression.”