Jolo, Sulu, July 18, 2025 – A transformative training workshop was recently conducted to increase the rate of Birth Registration across the Southern Provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sulu for Muslim Religious Leaders, focusing on the effective delivery of Khutbah (Friday sermons) and Muhadarah (religious lectures). This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Khatibs and Muhadirats to engage their communities through compelling and impactful religious messages and to integrate the importance of Birth Registration into their religious teachings.
Organized by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Inc., as the implementing partner of UNICEF and UNHCR, with support from the Government of Japan, the event brought together over 31 participants representing priority municipalities across the three provinces. The training highlighted how Islamic principles support the protection of a child’s rights and the significance of securing a legal identity through birth registration, held at the Notre Dame of Jolo-Review Center, Jolo, Sulu, on July 16-18, 2025.
Participants explored Quranic verses and Hadiths that emphasize the protection and welfare of the child, techniques for delivering clear, engaging, and culturally relevant sermons and lectures on Children’s rights to survival, safety and health and the Rights of children in Islam and the role of the Muslim Religious Leaders thereof. They formulated strategies to dispel misconceptions and encourage families to register births promptly.
They engaged in interactive discussions, Muhadarah, and Khutba exercises to build confidence in advocating for birth registration within their communities and to enhance their confidence and skills. “This training will help us in advocating birth registration in our communities, especially since most of us are members and teachers of the Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL). The importance of having birth registration and being issued with a birth certificate will give our children the rights they deserve, shared by Nadzria I. Kisri from Talipao, Sulu”.
This capacity-building effort will empower religious leaders to serve as effective agents of positive change, fostering unity and progress within their communities. It also underscores their vital role in guiding their communities not only spiritually but also in addressing pressing social concerns through meaningful and impactful communication.
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