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Princess Jacel's media presence ignites Kiram family dispute


(Updated 5:48 p.m.) Revealing tensions within the Sulu Sultan's family, his daughter on Tuesday publicly disputed her uncle's view that as a woman, she shouldn't be speaking out on weighty matters such as their Sabah claim. “I have the decree of my dad. I am speaking on my views and opinions on the matter. We are all entitled to our own opinion,” said Princess Jacel Kiram, the daughter of Jamalul Kiram III, who claims to be the sultan of Sulu. Jacel made this statement after the sultan's brother, Bantilan Esmail Kiram II, said at a briefing on Monday that she is not allowed under Islamic law to speak on big issues. “May usapan na kami lahat regarding kung sino ba ang magsasalita in the name of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. Bawal sa amin sa Sharia [Islamic law] na sa mga ganitong big issues na babae ang magsasalita,” Kiram II said after a meeting with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Monday. Jacel, however, said that as far as she is concerned, Sharia law does not prohibit women from expressing their opinion on issues. Her father's followers have been battling Malaysian authorities for nearly two weeks, with over 50 dead. Jacel has faced the media numerous times. In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Princess Jacel Kiram said she has the right to express her views on the Sabah conflict. “I have my father's blessing. Ang hindi ko lang puwedeng gawin ay mag-lead,” she said. She also clarified that she is only expressing her personal opinions during her media appearances, stressing that Abraham Iridjani remains the Sulu sultanate's lone spokesperson. Public role of Muslim women Her uncle's reaction to Jacel's media presence has ignited a debate about the public role of Muslim women. Amina Rasul, president of the Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy, also disputed Kiram II's statement, noting that Muslim women have not only long been expressing their opinion in public but have been elected heads of state in predominantly Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Turkey. “I wonder where he [Kiram II] got his idea about Sharia prohibiting women from being heard on substantive matters?” Rasul said in an article posted on GMA News Online. She said even the Quran cites women who became capable rulers, including a trusted  adviser of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Rasul commended Jacel for being “fluent and sincere” in speaking on the Sabah issue. “There is not a single commentator who has not been won over by the Princess, who has also earned the sympathy of millions of Filipinos who have seen her on television,” she said. In an earlier interview, Rasul said Kiram II is among the more than 10 sultan-claimants in Sulu. She, however, noted that Kiram III is the most visible among those claiming to be the leader of the sultanate. Jacel, meanwhile, appealed to the public to focus on the real issues and not be sidetracked by statements of some personalities. “Huwag nating guluhin ang issue. Nalilihis e. Ang issue rito ay ang mga buhay na nasasakripisyo dahil sa mishandling ng Sabah situation,” she said. The sultanate's heirs have been receiving a nominal yearly compensation package from Malaysia under a long-standing agreement for possession of Sabah. — KBK/HS, GMA News
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