By Rham Joseph Cabasag, Zamboanga Times

District 1 Representative Beng Climaco has expressed dismay over relentless efforts to include Zamboanga City in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as she reiterated opposition not only to one but two proposed bills amending the ARMM law.

This, as former president and now Pampanga (District II) Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo filed House Bill 173 amending the ARMM law making Zamboanga City the seat of the autonomous region of Southwestern Mindanao, which is in support of another bill—HB number 143 refiled in the 15th Congress by Tawi-Tawi Cong. Nur Jaafar.

“As the city’s representative, working with the leaders and the people of Zamboanga, we will oppose this, as what we have done in the BJE-MOA-AD,” Climaco said referring to the city’s firm stand against the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity-Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last 2008.

By: EDD K. USMAN

To further improve the knowledge of "imams" (prayer leaders) and help promote Islam's message of peace and tolerance for other faith communities and unity with their fellow Filipinos, the Insan Islamic Assembly (IIA), Inc. conducted a two-day imam training seminar in Marawi City for 36 Muslim religious leaders.

Imams are Islamic religious leaders who are qualified to lead prayers as well as deliver sermons, among others.

Insan chairman Aleem Najeeb Taher spearheaded the Imam Training Seminar on July 24-25 at the Marawi Resort Hotel (formerly Ayala Resort Hotel) with the theme "Strengthening the Way of Performing Imamship for the Community" aimed at widening their horizon on many issues confronting Islam and Muslims.

"The objective of the training is to revitalize the role of our imam in their respective masjeed (mosque) where they are performing (their tasks)," said Taher.