ARMM Madaris Chief awarded 2009 ‘Huwarang Mindanaoans’

COTABATO CITY – With his exemplary and exceptional service to brace the value of Madaris education to Muslim students not only in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but to the entire country, Undersecretary for Madaris Education, Department of Education-ARMM, Shiekh Mohammad Faried S. Adas received a special tribute as one of the 2009 Gintong Parangal sa Huwarang Mindanaoans on May 09 in Kidapawan City.

The Media Writers Association of the Philippines (MWAP) based in Manila selected ten oustanding achievers in the country who contributed economic progress as well as enriched the Filipino people in elevating social standard of living with their respective endeavors.

Mr. Joven Catriz, project manager of MWAP remarked, “Ustadz Adas displayed an incomparable determination in the field of teaching profession and government service. He has the greatest track record in the service of education especially in Muslim education.”

Adas has been consistent in pushing indispensable changes in Madaris program since his commencement in government service in 2001. For four years, he frontlines in beefing up Standard Madrasah Curriculum (SMC) with the existing Madaris curriculum in the country.

The SMC integrates the basic subjects such as English, Filipino, Math, Science and Makabayan with the Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL) such as Qur’an, Aqeedah and Fiqh, and Seerah and Hadith.

Adas, also the national chair of Qualifying Examinations for ISAL and team leader of Ocular Inspection of pilot Madrasah for ARMM exclaimed, “I thanked Allah for the award. This only manifests His words – you will reap what you sow. Prophet Mohammad also said that serving the people is the best career. So, no matter how gargantuan or small our task is, we will persist for the people we serve.”

Further, the Madaris chief thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan for the support citing, “this award is only addressed to me, but everything will not be possible without President Arroyo’s program for Madrasah education and Governor Zaldy’s collaboration for the intensification of the program.”

He also made mention former Maguindanao Provincial Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan’s continuous encouragement and support. “I paid homage to Datu Andal for this tribute. This made me grips my faith stiffer. We should thank Allah every big or small blessings we get.”

Also in the roster of ‘Huwarang Mindanaoans’ are Erenidad Tablazon, Justice Official of Barangay Making in Parang and Mayor Datu Allandatu Angas of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao. (bpi-armm)