Ulamas who signed fatwa condemning Maute get threats

Some of the ulamas (Muslim scholars) who signed last Saturday a manifesto condemning the Maute group received threats  from the pro-ISIS terrorists in Marawi City.

Reporting from Marawi, dzBB's Benjie Liwanag said that 20 of the 50 ulamas in Lanao del Sur received the threat on the day they were about to sign the fatwa (manifesto) declaring the Maute group as an enemy of the Maranao people. 

Part of the letter from the terrorists—written in Maranao language—reads: "...if you sign the manifesto, you will be considered a 'munafiq' or hypocrite."  

Ulama Abdulhamid Umpa Amirpitor told dzBB that despite the threat, all the 50 scholars signed the fatwa.

Also, Amirpitor said that instead of being scared, the ulamas even made the rounds in Lanao del Sur to explain to the people the content of the fatwa.

A fatwa usually explains current issues in light of Islam laws, Amirpitor added. 

On August 12, all the mayors and some 50 ulamas of Lanao del Sur province signed a manifesto declaring the Maute group members as enemies.

The manifesto also classifies the group under Daulah Islamiyah or Islamic State, an international terrorist group.

Dawla Islamiyya (Maute Terrorist Group) and its sympathizers are "enemies of the Meranao (or Maranao)  People," part of the manifesto reads. —LBG/KVD, GMA News