By special invitation of Hon. Congresswoman Sitti Djalia A Turabin-Hataman, Chairperson, Committee on Muslim Affairs who is also a Member of ICIFE Eminent International Advisory Board, in the afternoon of 29th November; ICIFE Director Dr. Haji Zulkifly Baharom attended the plenary session of the House of Representatives accompanied by Hon. Aleem Guiapal, the Executive Director, Regional Economic Zone Authority, Autonomous Muslim in Muslim Mindanao. Hon. Secretary of the House interrupted the proceedings to announce their presence as special invited guests of Hon. Sitti Djalia in the presence of Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members of the House of Representatives. It was video recorded and their images flashed on the screen & TV circuits around the House & media room. An unforgettable episode.

Earlier Dr. Haji Zul visited Office of Congresswoman Sitti Djalia at the House of Representative to meet the delegates who came to Malaysia recently for the 10-day study tour organized by ICIFE Secretariat. He was given a brief that House Bill (HB) No. 492 authored by Congresswoman Sitti Djalia amending the Republic of Philippines Act No 6848, also known as ‘Charter of Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines’ had given birth to NB No. 3975 re ‘The Philippines Islamic Financing Act of 2017′ that will provide a structured framework for the regulations, organization and operations of an expanded Islamic Banking System in the Philippines’. The added value Bill was introduced by Hon Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Former President of Philippines. It has cleared the First & Second Readings and now going through the Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries and Oversight Committee on Anti-Money Laundering as the passage required en-route endorsement of Senate & then President.
In the morning, ICIFE Philippines Chapter, Br Amanoding Esmail and MSU Vice President Dr. Soraida Esmail accompanied Dr. Haji Zul for meeting with top management of De La Salle University namely Hon Chancellor Dr. Gerardo C. Janairo, Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Robert C. Roleda and the Vice President External Relations & Internationalization Office, Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia to discuss about the benefits as ICIFE Institutional Member and in-house seminar on Teaching of Islamic Finance Modules.
On the way to the House of Representatives, Dr. Haji Zul visited Legaspi Towers Manila to meet Dr. Glenn Cabacang, President/CEO of Ascendens Asia with offices in Philippines & Singapore to sign an MoU for marketing of Islamic Finance Modules by blended on-line & face-to-face training. Also present was Dr. Samuel M. Salvador, Chancellor of Royal Institution & former President, Polytechnic University. It was resolved that the maiden training could be conducted in the First Quarter of 2017, InsyaAllah.

The highlight of the visit to Philippines House of Representatives on 29th November was the conferment of the prestigious ‘Anak Mindanao Honorary Membership Special Commendation Award’ to Dr. Haji Zul by Hon Congresswoman Sitti Djalia in recognition of his long-standing contribution to Anak Mindanao.