FOREWORD
Shariá Legal Notes for OFWs is the offshoot of legal inquiries I have been receiving from the Filipino community since my first day in the Philippine Embassy. Incidentally and knowing me by profession as Shariá lawyer, former ambassador Sukarno D. Tanggol designated me as Shariá legal officer, in addition to my regular duties as Administrative Officer, without additional compensation.
In one occasion, Ms. Norma Bosano, managing staff and editor of Filipino PANORAMA, Kuwait Times approached me if I could possibly contribute a Filipino-related write up to her weekly publication, pro bono. Having in mind the importance or usage of Shariá or Islamic law among expatriates in a Muslim country, I immediately said yes to her without hesitation. Hence, 44 issues of various Shariá-subject inquiries from OFWs were answered through and published in the Kuwait Times from 17 March 2002 to 23 March 2003, ranging from the issues of marital problems to blood money. Of these 44 issues, 7 were published under this writer’s pen name and one by Michellle Fe Santiago of Kuwait Times.
The assumption to post of H.E. Bayani V. Mangibin as AEP to Kuwait reinforces my momentum, in light of his encouraging words and deep appreciation of the legal advisory I have been giving to the Filipino community. He saw it better, than I do, the need of this kind of services to the legally confused OFWs. In capping, he advised me to make this compilation for reference purposes of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
May the readers of this column find their way in avoiding trouble & may my advisor and mentor who is better known by initials as W.C.G. learns and appreciates my day-to-day activity in the field of Shariá.
Only GOD knows best,
State of Kuwait, 20 April 2003
Contents
