Grand Mufti of Darul Ifta Region 9 and Palawan

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Grand Mufti Walid Abubakar of Region 9 and Palawan

The Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan (Arabic: المفتي العام لإقليم التاسع وبلاوان) is the highest Sunni juristic and religious authority in the Zamboanga Peninsula and in the province of Palawan, Philippines. The office oversees the issuing of fatāwā(legal opinions), provides Islamic guidance on matters of law and faith, and serves as a moral and spiritual advisor to Muslim communities within Western Mindanao.

The institution operates under the Darul Ifta', the official Islamic advisory council recognized in the Final Peace Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).[1]

History

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The Darul Ifta' - Region 9 and Palawan (Islamic Advisory Council) was formally institutionalized under the Final Peace Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement signed on 2 September 1996 between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The agreement established the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) and mandated that “The SPCPD shall be assisted by the Darul Iftah (Advisory Council) which shall be created by the Chairman of the SPCPD.”[1] The same article defined the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD) including Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan—as the SPCPD’s jurisdiction.[2] Consequently, the Darul Ifta' of Region IX and Palawan operates as the regional realization of this provision, headed by the Grand Mufti, who provides Islamic legal and moral guidance across Western Mindanao and Palawan.Its main office is located within the Hji Ahmad Sakaluran Grand Mosque in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City.

The Grand Muftiship upholds and represents this classical Sunni tradition, serving as both a juristic authority and a moral guide for Muslim communities across Western Mindanao and Palawan.[3] Its leadership plays a vital role in preserving the authenticity of traditional Islam while safeguarding Bangsamoro culture and heritage.[4]

Since the arrival of Islam in the southern Philippines in the 14th century, the majority of Filipino Muslims, particularly in the ZAMBASULTA area (Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi)—have followed Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā'ah, adhering to the Ashʿarī creed in theology (ʿAqīdah), the Shāfiʿī school of jurisprudence (Fiqh), and the Sufi path of spiritual purification (Tasawwuf). Many also continue to practice the indigenous spiritual discipline known as ʿIlmu Kamaasan, a localized expression of Islamic ethics, moral excellence, and inner refinement.[5]

Role and functions

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The Grand Mufti:

  • Heads the Darul Ifta', a council of ʿUlamāʾ that issues fatāwā (Islamic legal opinions)
  • Serves as chief Islamic legal authority for Region IX and Palawan
  • Advises the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) on religious and ethical matters
  • Promotes Wasatiyyah (Islamic moderation), unity, and peaceful coexistence among Muslims and non-Muslims
  • Oversees the training and accreditation of local Imāms and Muftīs under the Darul Ifta' framework.
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The Final Peace Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement (1996) explicitly recognized the creation of a Darul Iftah as part of the peace and governance architecture of Southern Philippines, stating: “The SPCPD shall be assisted by the Darul Iftah (advisory council), which shall be created by the Chairman of the SPCPD.”[6] [7]

This clause formally institutionalized the religious advisory role of Islamic scholars within a national peace accord, a first in Philippine history.

List of Grand Muftis

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  • Al-Ustadz AbdulGani L. Yusop Al-Azhari (1989 – 1997) : Founder of the Darul Ifta' in Southern Philippines; graduate of Faculty of Usuluddin كلية أصول الدين, Major in Aqidah & Philosophy Al-Azhar University; Ash'ari in Creed,Shafi'i in Fiqh and Sufi, peace mediator and advocate of interfaith dialogue.
  • Al-Ustadz Abdulbaki Abubakar Al-Azhari (1997 – 2025) : graduate of Faculty of Arabic language, department of History and Civilization Al-Azhar University Scholar of Arabic, history, and Shariʿa ; also Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs of the MNLF;Ash'ari in Creed,Shafi'i in Fiqh, advanced Islamic education and diplomacy for the Bangsamoro.[8]
  • Al-Ustadz Walid Abubakar Ad-Dimasqī (2025 – present) : Graduate of Damascus University (Islamic Law – Shariʿa);Ash'ari in Creed,Shafi'i in Fiqh, endorsed by the Ulama Supreme Council of Zamboanga Peninsula, MNLF, and local Islamic institutions.
# Portrait Name
Term
1 Abdulgani Yusop 1989-1997
2 AbdulBaki Abubakar 1997-2025
3 Walid Abubakar 2025 - present

Muftis under the Darul Iftah of Region IX & Palawan

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As of October 2025, the following regional Muftis serve under the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan, Shaykh Walid Abubakar, according to the official ceremonial presentation held at the Palacio del Sur, Marcian Garden Hotel, Zamboanga City:

  • Al-Ustadz Abdulwakil Tanjilil — Deputy Mufti of Region IX & Palawan
  • Al-Ustadz Abdennaser Abdurahman — Mufti of Zamboanga City
  • Al-Ustadz Abdulmujib Arip — Mufti of Zamboanga Sibugay
  • Al-Ustadz Abdulwadud Musa — Mufti of Zamboanga del Norte

This structure forms part of the Darul Ifta' council’s regional leadership in Western Mindanao and Palawan, recognized during the 2025 ceremonial presentation.[9]

Endorsements and recognition

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The appointment of Sheikh Walid Abubakar as Grand Mufti has been officially supported by:

  • MNLF[10]
  • NCMF (National Commission on Muslim Filipinos)'s Secretary Hon. Sabuddin N. Abdurahim;[11]
  • The Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi;[12]
  • The Ulama Supreme Council of Zamboanga Peninsula.[13]
  • The Sabiel Al-Mohtadeen Foundation Inc. under Shaykh Khadraji “Guru Bata” Tapsi.[14]
  • The Naqshbandi Tariqa under Shaykh Khalid Ismael
  • The Palawan Muslim Consultative and Da’wah Council (PMCDC).[15]
  • The Royal Sultanate of Sulu, represented by Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, one of the recognized claimants to the historic Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.[16]
  • The Naqib al-ashraf of the Philippines Dr. Calingalan Hussin Caluang.[17]
  • Ulama Council of Zamboanga Peninsula (but later, they removed it from their page)

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b "The Final Peace Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)" (PDF). United Nations Peacemaker. 2 September 1996. Retrieved 21 October 2025. The SPCPD shall be assisted by the Darul Iftah (Advisory Council) which shall be created by the Chairman of the SPCPD.
  2. ^ "The Final Peace Agreement (1996), Article II, Section 5" (PDF). United Nations Peacemaker. 2 September 1996. Retrieved 21 October 2025. There shall be established a Special Zone of Peace and Development in the Southern Philippines (SZOPAD)... covering the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte ... and Palawan, and the cities of Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa.
  3. ^ Morales, Rohan; Morales, Sheryl; Ramakrishna, Kumar (2021). "Countering Violent Islamist Extremism in Muslim Mindanao the 4M Way: The Role of Alternative Narratives". Studies in Conflict and Terrorism. doi:10.1080/1057610X.2021.1929066.
  4. ^ Calder, Norman; Gleave, Robert (2010). "Scholars, Muftis, Judges and Secular Power: The Need for Distinctions". In Imber, Colin (ed.). Islamic Jurisprudence in the Classical Era. Cambridge University Press. pp. 116–166. ISBN 978-0-521-51771-3.
  5. ^ Morales, Yusuf (18 June 2017). "PEACETALK: The different Islamic schools of thought in the Philippines". Mindanao News. Mindanews. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Philippines Peace Agreement: The Final Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)". Arellano Law Foundation. The LawPhil Project. 2 September 1996. Retrieved 21 October 2025. The SPCPD shall be assisted by the Darul Iftah (Advisory Council) which shall be created by the Chairman of the SPCPD.
  7. ^ The Final Peace Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement Between the GRP and the MNLF. Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front. 1996. p. 10. The SPCPD shall be assisted by the Darul Iftah (Advisory Council) which shall be created by the Chairman of the SPCPD.
  8. ^ Quiling, Mucha-Shim L. (19 October 2025). "ALAL BIMBANG: Two-headed spectre in the ruins of West-choreographed "Moderated Islam"". Mindaviews. Mindanews. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Ceremonial Presentation of the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan, Mufti of Zamboanga City, Mufti of Zamboanga Sibugay, and Mufti of Zamboanga del Norte". Darul Ifta’ Region IX and Palawan (Official Facebook Page). Supreme Council for Islamic Preaching and Guidance, Region IX and Palawan. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Official invitation letter announcing the ceremonial presentation of Sheikh Walid Abubakar (Grand Mufti of Region IX & Palawan), Sheikh Abdennaser Abdurahman (Mufti of Zamboanga City), Sheikh Abdulmujib Arip (Mufti of Zamboanga Sibugay), and Sheikh Abdulwadud Musa (Mufti of Zamboanga del Norte).
  10. ^ Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari (10 October 2025). "Official Statement from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central Committee, Office of the Chairman, to the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan". Facebook. Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) – Central Committee, Office of the Chairman. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Official letter from the MNLF Central Committee, signed by Acting Chairman Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari, congratulating Sheikh Walid Abubakar on his appointment as Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan. The statement highlights the Darul Iftah's role under the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement as part of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) structure.
  11. ^ Hon. Sabuddin N. Abdurahim (22 October 2025). "Verbal Remarks of Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)". Facebook. Shaykh Abden Mohammad Hawani. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Video recording of the NCMF Secretary's verbal speech acknowledging the official appointment of the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan, Shaykh Walid Abubakar, and affirming coordination between the NCMF and the Darul Ifta' Council for religious affairs. Hon. Sabuddin N. Abdurahim (22 October 2025). "NCMF Secretary's Statement on the Recognition of the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan". Facebook. Darul Ifta’ of Region IX and Palawan – Official Page. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Status post summarizing Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim's message of support and recognition of Shaykh Walid Abubakar as Grand Mufti, reaffirming the Darul Ifta's religious mandate in Western Mindanao and Palawan.
  12. ^ "Gov. Yshmael Sali Congratulates Newly Appointed Grand Mufti and Mufti in Region IX". Politiko Mindanao. Politiko Philippines. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025. News article reporting Governor Yshmael Sali's official congratulations to the newly appointed Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan and regional Muftis.
  13. ^ "Ulama Supreme Council of Zamboanga Peninsula – Announcement of the New Grand Mufti". Facebook. Ulama Supreme Council of Zamboanga Peninsula (Official Page). 11 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Facebook post announcing the selection of Shaykh Walid Abubakar as Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan and Shaykh Abdennaser Abdurahman as Mufti of Zamboanga Peninsula, following a meeting of the Elders Ulama on September 21–22, 2025.
  14. ^ "Sabiel Al-Mohtadeen Foundation Statement of Support for the New Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan". Facebook (in Tamil, Arabic, and English). Sabiel Al-Mohtadeen Foundation Inc. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Public message of congratulations and support from Sabiel Al-Mohtadeen Foundation Inc. to Shaykh Walid Abubakar on his appointment as Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan.
  15. ^ "Official Statement of the Palawan Muslim Consultative and Da'wah Council (PMCDC) Congratulating the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan". Facebook. Palawan Muslim Consultative and Da’wah Council (PMCDC). 18 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Public statement issued by the Palawan Muslim Consultative and Da'wah Council expressing congratulations and full support for His Eminence Sheikh Walid Abubakar upon his appointment as Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan, signed by PMCDC leadership and affiliated scholars and institutions in Palawan.
  16. ^ Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram (9 October 2025). "Official Statement of His Majesty Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, 35th Sultan of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, on the Awarding of Oil and Gas Exploration Rights in the Sulu Sea and Palawan". Facebook. Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Official statement issued by His Majesty Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram expressing concern over the awarding of oil and gas exploration rights in the Sulu Sea and Palawan without consultation with the Sultanate. The statement reaffirms the historical and sovereign rights of the Tausug people and calls for inclusive, transparent resource management based on justice and cooperation.
  17. ^ Dr. Calingalan Hussin Caluang (22 October 2025). "Official Statement and Endorsement from the Office of the Naqīb as-Sādāt al-Ashrāf of the Philippines on the Appointment of the Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan". Facebook. Office of the Naqīb as-Sādāt al-Ashrāf of the Philippines. Retrieved 23 October 2025. Official statement issued by Dr. Calingalan Hussin Caluang, Naqīb as-Sādāt al-Ashrāf of the Philippines, announcing the appointment of Shaykh Walīd Abubakar al-Ashʿarī ash-Shāfiʿī as Grand Mufti of Region IX and Palawan. The statement includes Arabic invocations, emphasizes Sunni orthodoxy (Ashʿarī–Shāfiʿī–Sufi tradition), and calls for unity, peace, and cooperation among Muslims and interfaith partners in the Philippines.

Sources

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  • The Final Peace Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement Between the GRP and the MNLF. Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front. 1996. pp. 9–10.
  • Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Remembering the Grand Mufti AbdulGani L. Yusop Al-Azhari, Golden Crescent Consortium, 2016.
  • Moro National Liberation Front – Official Statements, 2024.
  • Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, Official Endorsement, 2024.