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16May
BWC, BDI clarify fatwa on women traveling alone for work
- May 16, 2026
- Gandhi Kinjiyo
- HITS: 289
The clarificatory meeting, held on May 5, 2026 at the BDI Conference Room in Cotabato City, aimed to provide clearer guidance on the recently issued fatwa and address public concerns regarding its proper interpretation and application, the BWC said in a post on its official Facebook page on May 6, 2026.
Both institutions underscored the importance of ensuring that religious guidance is properly understood to avoid misconceptions, while remaining responsive to the realities faced by working women in the region.
The BDI clarified that the fatwa was issued primarily to uphold the protection, welfare, and safety of women in accordance with Islamic teachings — and that it should not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition against women seeking employment or traveling for work.
The BDI further explained that certain situations, such as organized group travel arrangements for female employees, may be considered permissible provided that safety, security, and necessity are properly observed. It also noted that cases involving Darura Shar'iyah — or necessity under Islamic law — may be assessed on a case-by-case basis with appropriate religious guidance.
The BWC, for its part, sought the clarification to ensure that its responses to public inquiries on the fatwa remain accurate and consistent with Islamic guidance. The commission emphasized that it continues to refer complex religious concerns to the BDI as the authoritative body on Islamic rulings in the Bangsamoro region, while maintaining its commitment to women's empowerment programs that are respectful of faith-based principles.
The BDI serves as the authority on Islamic rulings and Shari'ah guidance in BARMM, while the BWC leads in promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of Bangsamoro women through gender-responsive programs and policies — distinct but complementary mandates that the two institutions continue to exercise in coordination.
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