Tomara Maruhom Ayo passed the Shariá Bar Exams conducted by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 1999, with impressive scores. He earned 94% in Succession, Wills/Settlement and Adjudication of Estate, a subject considered by many as the iron bar in Shariá. As a consequence, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has noticed his accomplishment, and honored him the distinction of being its “First and Only Shariá Lawyer”.

He finished his Shariá special training course at UP Diliman campus in Quezon City and Arabic language course at Kuwait University in Kuwait. He grew up in a Shariá-environment city, and toiled harder his Shariá foundation through intensive research and practice. In Kuwait, he was designated as Shariá legal officer for the Philippine Embassy, in addition to his regular duties and responsibilities as Administrative Officer.

Earlier, he also wrote a reference material entitled, “Answers to Questions Frequently Asked on Labor and Immigration Laws in Kuwait, Part 1”, a document appreciated by many reading OFWs.

He was a former member of the DFA pool of lawyers tasked to resolve passport cases, and faculty under the College of Foreign Service, Lyceum of the Philippines, Manila as assistant professor. He is a holder of doctor’s degree in international relations from Pacific Western University, Los Angeles, C.A., U.S.A.

He hails from an old town of Gapa-o Balindong in Taraka, Lanao del Sur and native of Madaya, Marawi City. He is happily married with five (5) loving children.

Praise is due to God, Who owns the supreme knowledge.

State of Kuwait, 20 April 2003