The government of the Philippines formally created a fully-autonomous region in Muslim-dominated Mindanao, which includes allowing elements of sharia law.
Mindanao Christians objected to a previous agreement in 2008 which proposed an area with sharia law. The Philippines’ Supreme Court ruled that the agreement was unconstitutional. Muslim armed groups responded with violence against Christians.
Although it is claimed sharia law elements are expected to only be applicable to Muslims, its incorporation effectively creates an Islamic sub-state within a pluralistic and mainly-Christian country.
