06 August 2015 - The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) concluded a four-day visit to Cairo with renewed commitments from major Islamic institutions in Egypt to assist in promoting the welfare and development of Filipino Muslims.

The NCMF delegation, led by Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao, was given an audience with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad Al Tayyib, and Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam. Al-Azhar is the Islamic world’s foremost learning institution, with a national network of schools catering to more than two million students, including more than 200 Muslim Filipinos.

During their meetings, the Grand Imam pledged to increase the number of full scholarships for Muslim Filipinos, particularly in science and technology courses, at the Al-Azhar University, a renowned university among Sunni Muslims.

The Grand Mufti also expressed willingness to assist Filipino muftis (Muslim religious scholars) in capacity building for ifta (the act of issuing a fatwa or legal opinion). Other areas of cooperation considered include Arabic language training, training in da’wah (conveying the message of Islam), and training in halal certification.

Secretary Busran-Lao briefed the Egyptian religious authorities on recent developments in the Muslim Mindanao peace process. She stressed that the Philippine government remains committed to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and to continued peace and development for Muslim Filipinos.

The NCMF delegation also met with the Dr. Mohamed Mokhtar Gomma of the Ministry of Awqaf, which is in charge of religious endowments, Dr. Ahmed Ageeba, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Countries and Pacific Ocean Islands Affairs Yasser Murad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Secretary Busran-Lao was accompanied in the delegation by NCMF Commissioners Abdulwahid A. Inju, Analiza G. Flores, and Edilwasif T. Baddiri. END