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OMA to cut support for Shariah Exam? |
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Written by Lanao Mama
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Wednesday, 02 July 2003 |
No more Shariah lawyers in the future?
There are allegations that the present administration of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) will no longer be supporting the Shariah Bar Program (which includes the Shariah Bar Seminar and the Pre-Bar Review) because of the program’s "dismal performance."
Philippine laws acknowledge the Shariah law as one of the sources of law applicable for Muslims, by virtue of Presidential Decree 1083. But Shariah courts all over the regions are wanting in practicing lawyers.
The present OMA management considers the program a failure because of the very minimal number of cases filed (if there are) in the Shariah Courts. On the contrary, a source speaking on condition of anonymity said that it is not for the OMA to dwell on the number of cases filed in the Shariah courts. She added that, it is not OMA's business to interfere with the administration of courts. The latter is for the judiciary department to settle and not OMA.
This is the first and only year, since the Shariah Bar Exam was first instituted, that the OMA will not conduct a Pre-Bar review.
For the past eight Shariah Bar Exams, the OMA conducted a pre-bar review a month before the actual exam will be given. The exam is scheduled and given by the Supreme Court of the Philippines every two years. This year, the special Shariah Bar Exam is slated to be given on the 20th and 27th of July 2003.
Part of the 2003 approved budget of OMA is apportioned for the conduct of the pre-bar review. Therefore, budget or lack of fund is not seen as a reason for the OMA’s decision.
A prospective examinee of the Shariah Bar felt "frustrated and dismayed" with the OMA's move to cancel the conduct of a pre-bar review without a justified reason and basis. “We wish to inform the OMA's management that the Shariah Bar Program is one of their most visible projects. A project with clear and concrete results felt and known to many Muslims, and whose effect is long term. Education and information is power," the Shariah Bar applicant opined.
“The intention of the program is very noble. If ever it is a failure, it is neither the program nor the intention of the program that is a failure. Rather the failure lies in the implementation and execution of the program. And just to remind OMA, they're the primary office mandated to implement and execute the program. Is this a confession or admission of guilt? Why make the reviewees suffer for a failure that (is of their own doing)? To cancel the pre-bar review is not a solution. It is not even an option for it will only defeat the main objective of the program that is to produce more Shariah lawyers.”
When asked for a comment, the secretary of OMA Head Zamzamin Ampatuan replied that any matters about the Shariah are handled by a certain Ms. Usman. Ms. Usman on the other hand merely presented the proposed budget she prepared for the Pre-Bar Review program. A note was written by Sec. Ampatuan on the proposal stating “not necessary”. No further reasons were given.
Reactions from YMPN:
"I wonder why funding would be cut simply because few cases are filed. Why not review the performance of the court and the efficacy of the law? Perhaps its outdated already or whatever?" - Kong
"Maybe OMA should conduct a public awareness campaign considering that the Supreme Court already recognized the Shariah as our legal framework. It seems the OMA is the first one to shoot the gains we have achieved for several years. " - Juan
"So just because the OMA considers the Shariah Court a failure, that would be a reason enough to end it? Hell, if that's the case, the OMA should also be abolished because it is a failure too." - Shamir
End.
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