BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
SECRETARY BENJAMIN C. ABALOS Jr of the Department of the Interior and Local Government(DILG) congratulated Sheik Sabuddin N. Abdurahim on his appointment as the new Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
Based on the Official Facebook Account posted by DILG National, Sec Abalos says, “I am confident that he will fully exercise his authority in preserving and promoting the Muslim Filipino culture while ensuring alignment of the NCMF’s mandate to the national priority thrusts of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”
As former Board Member of the First District of Tawi-Tawi, Abdurahim has extensive experience in local legislation, and has the strong endorsement of all six governors from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
He is also the first-ever NCMF Secretary from the Province of Tawi-Tawi, adding the DILG stands ready to render the necessary assistance and support to Secretary Abdurahim as he takes the reins of NCMF.
“We are with him every step of the way towards a peaceful, strong, and progressive Bagong Pilipinas,” the statement further stated.
NCMF Secretary Abdurahim was sworn in by Palace Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 27, 2024 replacing former Secretary Guiling Mamondiong whose term of office expired on March 7, 2024.
It could be recalled as published in National newspaper were Lanao Del Norte, Ist District Representative Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo who presided a press briefing said that investigations into Hajj issue have been persistent—noting that these has been at least one for editions of the pilgrimage.
Dimaporo told reporters that Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is required of capable Muslims for at least once in their lifetime.
In the Philippines, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) coordinates with Saudi Arabia officials regarding the participation of Muslims in the Annual Hajj, but problems have prompted lawmakers to question if the government is capable of effectively catering to the Muslim community.
