Islamic scholars' groups back Murad for first elected BARMM chief minister

COTABATO CITY — Three organizations of Muslim religious leaders and scholars have formally endorsed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim to become the first elected chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with two of the groups sending their statements directly to President Marcos.

In separate letters dated October 2, the Bangsamoro Ulama and Professionals Council Inc. and the Ulama Supreme Council of the Philippines for Peace and Development Inc. (USCPPD) told the President they were backing Murad, who is also president of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), for the post "in accordance with existing law and the processes of the Bangsamoro Parliament."

Both letters were signed by Sheikh Abdul Hannan M. Tago, founding president of the first group and chief executive officer of the second.

The USCPPD said it was submitting an official statement of support signed by ulama or Islamic scholars from the BARMM and other parts of the country, as formal documentation of their position. Any decision on the matter, the group added, must still consider the Constitution, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and the procedures set by the Bangsamoro Parliament. A list of 26 signatories accompanied the statements.

A third group, the Philippine Organization for Islamic Heritage (IslamicHeritagePH), issued its own statement on October 5 saying it joins "thousands" of ulama in supporting the so-called Rainbow Coalition within the Bangsamoro Parliament and in calling for Murad's election as chief minister.

The group also voiced concern over the direction of the region following its first parliamentary elections.

Beyond vote counts, alliances and the contest for leadership, it said, the peace process that brought the Bangsamoro to this point must not be forgotten, citing the unfinished normalization track, including decommissioning, socioeconomic programs and security arrangements.

"The Bangsamoro people have already paid a very high price for peace," the statement read. It was signed by Sheikh Abdulhadie Gumander, chair of the group's foundational and advisory council and former secretary-general of the Organization of Muslim Scholars in the Philippines.

Under Republic Act No. 12317, the first regular term of the Bangsamoro Parliament runs from October 30, 2026, to June 30, 2031. The chief minister is elected by members of Parliament from among themselves.