EC Funds Shari'a Program In Mindanao

Sunlight reflects on the silver crescent of a mosque's minaret in Sta. Barbara village in Zamboanga City. (Zamboanga Journal)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 12 Jan) A program funded by the European Commission which targets the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Southern Philippines is closely collaborating with the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) to strengthen Shari'a justice system in Mindanao.

Shari'a is the code of law based on the Koran.

The IDP Programme is a joint undertaking of the Philippine government,through the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).This undertaking covers three main components which include relief assistance, rehabilitation, and culture of peace and access to justice.

It aims to capacitate the IDPs and conflict-affected communities to promote a culture of peace, and strengthen support mechanisms and institutions on emergency response and management in the region.

The component on culture of peace and access to justice includes a series of seminars and trainings on Shari'a and Islamic Jurisprudence involving court personnel from various Shari'a courts in Mindanao.

It has so far held four capacity-building seminars and is currently completing construction and rehabilitation of at least 5 Shari'a courts in ARMM.

This component was designed to develop a strong justice system that recognizes, promotes and protects the basic rights of the IDPs.

Since the start of the IDP Programme last year, it has already provided food and non-food packages to over 30,000 IDP families. While the rehabilitation component has already provided 485 core shelters, 63 water supply systems, 12 health centers and nearly 100 livelihood and enterprise projects in the region.

"This particular undertaking strategically complements other peace-building efforts being carried out in conflict affected areas in Mindanao by the government and donor agencies and non-government organizations," said MEDCo chairman Jesus Dureza.

Dureza said these efforts are in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's serious and consistent focus on the attainment of just and lasting peace in Mindanao.