Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra of the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, was one of the presenters and panelists during the 1st National Shari’ah Summit held at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City on March 5-6, 2023.

In line with the summit’s theme “Forging the Role of Shari’ah in the National Legal Framework”, Minister Barra first shared a Brief History of Muslim Filipinos earlier in the program, followed by a presentation on Shi’a and Sunni, and the Four Sunni Madhab, which is a school of thought within Islamic jurisprudence.

He then expounded  his presentations during the open forum, where he served as panelist with the resource speakers who presented on the same day.

The Summit was envisioned as a venue for the knowledge-sharing of ideas and the best practices involving Shari’ah. Participants were equipped with the basic principles of the Shari’ah justice system.

It also served as a platform to address issues and challenges in the Philippine Shari’ah legal and judicial system, and to explore opportunities to strengthen support for Shari’ah justice in the country.

With Minister Barra was Bangsamoro Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim, who delivered the opening invocation for Muslims at the beginning of the summit.

Leading the roster of speakers was Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo who discussed the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027 on Strengthening the Foundations of Shari’ah.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., expressed his message of support and appreciation via video.

Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Senate Pres. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen and Special Assistant to the President Antonio M. Lagdameo showcased their support through their messages.

Also representing the BARMM with Minister Barra as resource speakers during the summit were MP and Atty. General Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba and MP and MBHTE Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal.

Other speakers after Chief Justice Gesmundo were Justice Anisah Amanodin-Umpa, Dr. Jamel R. Cayamodin, Atty. Arifa Masacal Alauya-Ala, University of the Philippines Prof. Macrina Hannah Dugasan Adjerol, Ms. Huma Chughtal, Judge Jamel Mamutuk, Judge Mac Hadjirasul, and Dean Norhabib Sumndad Barodi.

The summit was organized and facilitated by the Supreme Court in cooperation with its judicial education arm, the PhilJA and mainly in partnership with the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).