Tuesday, July 10, 2007 (Philippines)

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney (center) signed the Islamic Declaration of Support for Al Khalifa (The Steward) during the closing ceremonies of the Khalifatul Ardh: Steward of the Earth, a Regional Islamic Summit on Environmental Governance for Islamic leaders, the academe and community advocates. With Kenney is Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema (left) and DENR-Armm Secretary Kabuntalan Emblawa, Al-haj. (Contributed photo) COTABATO CITY -- Over a hundred Islamic religious leaders, members of the Islamic studies academe, non-government organizations, Islamic educators and community advocates all over Central Mindanao convened for the first Regional Islamic Summit on Environmental Governance from July 7 to 9, 2007, here. Dubbed as Khalifatul Ardh or Steward of the Earth, the three-day Summit aims to raise awareness of environmental governance, get the involvement of stakeholders in environmental governance advocacy and encourage the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) to enact effective environmental laws derived from the religious teachings of Islam. Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage View here the list of local winners [full story]