the Beauty of Bangsamoro

Tausug Network www.tausugnet.com on ABS-CBN Network

2009-06-08T22:55:00.000-07:00

MANILA - Although Friendster, Facebook, and Multiply have virtually everything people need for an active cyber-social life, some Muslim users still don't find what they need for a truly "halal" social networking experience.

This was an issue 42-year-old Salim Yusop tried to address when he launched Tausug Network (TN), a social networking site catering mainly to Tausugs in Sulu province.

Born in Jolo, and later resided in Metro Manila in the 1980s, Yusop said he had always dreamed of creating a website custom-fit for Muslim users—one that would reflect Islamic culture and beliefs, especially those of his ethnic group.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/06/08/09/muslims-unite-social-networking-site

The Bangsamoro Narrative

2009-06-02T00:31:00.000-07:00

COMMENTARY: The Bangsamoro Narrative: Input from Islamic movements (2). By Datu Michael O. Mastura

Pace one, the paradox is the very notion that Muslim ‘resistance equals terrorism’ by informational manipulation with national media apparatus has filled out the ‘vacant political message’ of status reversion of Moroism to proto-statehood. Rejection of the ‘land of truce’ (sulh) proposed in the initialed MOA-AD confronts Islamic geopolitical discourse in conjunction with the post-war “ethnic flooding” of Mindanao ripening into “settler neocolonialism” today. Negation takes away from this doctrine the compromise that continues to make and unmake the conflictual interactions in our social orders and its political aspirations. Thus locating the ancestral domain as a point of contestation of colonisibility accounts for Bangsamoro utmost striving for a juridical entity or state, a national status, or self-determination that gathers popular support.

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The Tausug Network

2009-01-12T08:48:00.001-08:00

Young Moro professionals push for Bangsamoro cause

2008-12-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

Samira Gutoc, lead organizer of the event and founding chair of the YMPNM, in providing the rationale of the activity, stressed that the Moro cause may not only be the assertion of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity but revolves around "the many layers of discrimination" against the Moro people. The BJE is the proposed territory that is supposed to be governed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had the MOA-AD been signed and the peace talks proceeded.

Gutoc enumerated the Moro cause as: 1) affirmation of the right to self-determination (RSD), 2) a Moro nationalist identity, and, 3) uplift of Moro people's lives.

Full Story...

Moro identity at the heart of conflict: Misuari

2008-10-20T02:57:00.001-07:00

Moro identity at the heart of conflict: Misuari
Veronica Uy I INS

MANILA: We are Filipino and Bangsamoro. This was the answer Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, gave when asked if Moros consider themselves Filipinos.

In an exclusive interview with The Inquirer, Misuari said: “Our people would like to call themselves as Filipino and a Bangsamoro citizen. They cannot do away with their identity as a Moro or as a Bangsamoro. We are Filipinos at the same time Bangsamoro. We are Bangsamoro at the same time Filipinos. We are part of a larger nation.” “That’s how we look at ourselves. We cannot do away with our identity as Bangsamoro people even as we say we are also Filipinos,” he added.

Moro identity at the heart of conflict: Misuari - Read More!

The Oldest Mosque in the Philippines

2008-10-06T04:06:00.000-07:00

Cotabato City, Dec. 2 (NNN-PNA) - The Philippines Senate approved on Nov 28 a bill declaring as national shrine the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque, the oldest Muslim worship place in Mindanao situated in Tubig Indangan, Simunul Island, Zamboanga Peninsula.

In a statement, Senator Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, emphasized Friday that declaring the six-centuries-old mosque as part of national heritage could help pave the way for Filipino-Muslims in the South to take the path of peace.

"It is a most opportune gesture of friendship to our Muslim brothers. Declaring it as national shrine is of far reaching significance because it celebrates the construction of the first Muslim mosque in our country, built two centuries ahead of the Spanish colonization," Angara said.

"In the same manner that the Roman Coliseum is celebrated and revered up to this day, so should we honour and protect one of our country's most important historical structures," he added.

The bill is set for submission to the Office of the President for final approval and enactment into law.

Arab missionary Sheikh Karimul Makhdum constructed the mosque 615 years ago, some 140 years before the arrival of Magellan in the Philippines.

Makhdum is recognised to have introduced Islamic civilisation in the country. His mosque is held with great esteem and emulation by the Muslims; and even non-Muslims and is considered sacred.

Some 5,000 domestic and foreign tourists frequently visit the shrine annually.

Maguindanao Islamic theologian Abdulkadir Abdullah expressed joy over the development saying "Such is a welcome development for us as we also want our cultural legacy protected."

Angara's son, Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, earlier filed the bill before the House of Representatives for the mosque's recognition as national shrine.

Bongao Link

Bongao Landscape

2008-10-06T01:59:00.000-07:00

The Bongao Landscape.

Before the armed rebellion of the MNLF in the early 1970s, Bongao is merely a backwater village ruled by the prominent noble Halun family, who used to own about 3/4 of the island. The capital of the province is Bato-Bato in the mainland situated in a cove with deep waters suited for anchors of the Philippine Navy. At the height of the armmed rebellion and fearing that the provincial capitol might be overrun, the government transferred it to Bongao. The white-washed, Taj Mahal-inspired provincial capitol building is located on a hill overlooking the bay and the whole town to the North of the Island against the backdrop of Mount Kabugan and the famous Bud Bongao (Bongao Peak).

The transfer of the seat of government ushered the rapid development of the island as the southernmost center of commerce and trade. Suddenly, the population swelled as individuals (and their families) who are in government service moved to town.

Leaning Mosque on Stilts on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

2008-09-22T15:39:00.001-07:00

Leaning Mosque on Stilts on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Masjid Tulay in Jolo

2008-09-22T05:21:00.001-07:00

The towering minarets of the magnifiscent Tulay mosque in the southern Philippine island of Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago. Fog still covers the highest structure now in the island. Jolo Governor Sakur Tan is embarking on a massive tourism program aim at luring investors and visiors to the island, about 950 kms south of Manila. (Photo By Al Jacinto)

Sultan Kudarat Mosque

2008-09-22T05:14:00.001-07:00

Muslim Mindanao
Originally uploaded by laz'andre

The beauty and the serenity of a rural mosque in Bangsamoro Homeland.

Masjid of Tandubanak

2008-09-19T23:33:00.001-07:00

Masjid of Tandubanak
Originally uploaded by Farl

A great collections of Bangsamoro images.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colloidfarl/

The Bangsamoro as a First Nation

2008-08-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

First principle and foundation: The Bangsamoro as a First Nation

That the TROed Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain Aspect of the GRP-MILF Agreement of Peace of 2001 raised a hornet’s nest of raw emotions is an understatement (MOA on AD). Almost everyone wants to get into the fray to express their opinion and positions. In fact, the MOA on AD has opened a Pandora’s box that exposed the deep divide between peoples and sectors in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. What has been lurking in the hearts of men and women has now come out.

In times of trouble and confusion, I find consolation in my favorite saint’s advice to always remember what he called the “first principle and foundation”. It is an invitation to go back to the core principle, to the underlying logic, to the first passion that led to the enterprise for in so doing so “clarity of vision” is attained.

Let us then go back to the “original” spirit, to the raison d’etre of the whole process that triggered the drafting of the MOA on AD, let me begin by saying that the “first principle and foundation” of the peace process between the Government and the MILF is the acknowledgment (long denied) that the Bangsamoro people is a “people distinct from the rest of the national communities” and that they are the “First Nation”. This is highlighted in the MOA on AD:

“Both Parties acknowledge that the right to self-governance of the Bangsamoro people is rooted on ancestral territoriality exercised originally under the suzerain authority of their sultanates and the Pat a Pangampong ku Ranaw. The Moro sultanates were states or karajaan/kadatuan resembling a body politic endowed with all the elements of nation-state in the modern sense. As a domestic community distinct from the rest of the national communities, they have a definite historic homeland. They are the “First Nation” with defined territory and with a system of government having entered into treaties of amity and commerce with foreign nations. The Parties concede that the ultimate objective of entrenching the Bangsamoro homeland as a territorial space is to secure their identity and posterity, to protect their property rights and resources as well as to establish a system of governance suitable and acceptable to them as a distinct dominant people”

This is the first principle and foundation: that the Bangsamoro people is a distinct people and a First Nation. This principle provides the impetus and foundation for the application of the provisions of The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states:

“1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development;

2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.”

If the Bangsamoro people is indeed a First Nation, a people unto themselves who are distinct from the rest of the national communities, then it is logical that the Bangsamoro people possess inherent and unequivocal rights which are demandable from the Philippine State, irrespective of whether these rights are found in the Philippine Constitution or not. In fact, it is imperative that if these rights are not found or protected in the Philippine Constitution that the Philippine State should initiate a process to entrench these rights. If the “rules” of the game do not, at present, allow these rights, then “new rules” must be put in place. This, as I have already stated, is the essence of peace talks - negotiating for “new rules”, to change the present “rules”.

If one accepts the statement that the Bangsamoro people is a “distinct people” and a “First Nation” then it follows that they have the following basic rights:

1. The right to self-determination.
2. The right to freely determine their political status.
3. The right to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
4. The right to freely dispose their natural wealth and resources.
5. The right not to be deprived of its own means of subsistence.

Jolo museum

2008-07-11T10:24:00.001-07:00

Jolo museum
Originally uploaded by Wan san

One of the most youngest and famous Sultan of the Sulu Sultanate - Sultan Badaruddin - portrait shown here in the Jolo Museum.

The Oldest Mosque in the Bangsamoro Homeland

2008-07-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

The mosque in Simunul town of Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost Philippine province, was constructed in AD 1380 by an Arabian missionary, Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, who introduced Islam to the Philippines long before the arrival of the Spaniards, who introduced Christianity.
The mosque is right in the heart of Tubig Indangan in Simunul. Sheikh Makhdum was buried in the same place and a simple marker stands on his grave.

The National Historical Institute (NHI), which is tasked to supervise the preservation of the site, has noted that the four big pillars of the mosque remain as they were originally.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, the proponent of the bill, said the introduction of the Islamic faith opened the country’s doors to civilization and has contributed to the enrichment, vibrancy and diversity of the Filipinos’ unique culture.

“This mosque, the first ever constructed on Philippine soil was laid long before the coming of Western colonizers,” said Angara, a former president of the University of the Philippines and chairman of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
In his sponsorship of the bill last year, Angara said: “We are in need of reconciling with our

Read the full story....

Boulevard Mosque Manila

2008-07-08T01:17:00.001-07:00

Boulevard Mosque Manila
Originally uploaded by mark navales

Brought about by the injustices and hardship in Bangsamoro Homeland, the Moros have moved from places to places bringing along with them their house of worship.

This mosque near the bay is featured in flick

Quezon Beach in Patikul Sulu

2008-07-07T23:32:00.001-07:00

The Quezon Beach Resort has really fine white powder-like sand, and better than Boracay! They also take pride of “Paradise Island” (not anything like the Paradise Island in Samal Island, Davao) where you can camp out at night.

To get to Sulu, you will need to fly via Seair from Zamboanga for a 30-minute ride or take the boat (or fastcraft if impatient). Sulu Island has a network of islands surrounding it and the town proper is called Jolo. The safest place to stay is at Peacekeeper’s Inn, and is situated inside Police Camp. Its still best to go around town escorted by the locals. When I went there in 2004, we had the Barangay Captain (whom I’ve heard is from a Royal Family), an armed military guy and the Principal of Parang National High School (in Parang, Sulu). I had the chance to visit four municipalities: Parang, Patikul, Indanan and Jolo. We were warmly accommodated by the Mayor as well.

http://maej.mindanao.com/blog/?cat=34

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Bangsamoro woman can handle everything in Basilan, Southern Philippines

2008-07-06T03:42:00.001-07:00

Bangsamoro woman can handle everything in Basilan, Southern Philippines
Originally uploaded by mark navales

Women’s participation in fighting with men. Anas reports: “During the Battle of Uhud, Muslims went on the retreat leaving the Prophet... I saw Lady Ayesha and Umm Sulaym, having raised their skirts. I could see their anklets as they carried water skins on their backs, hurrying as though to run... They would pour the water into people’s mouths and go back to fill their water skins. They came back to pour the water into other people’s mouths.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Muslim Soceity, Read More!

Late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim Mosque renovated after the war inside the jungle of Moro rebels in Camp Abubakar, Philippines

2008-07-06T03:11:00.001-07:00

Late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim Mosque renovated after the war inside the jungle of Moro rebels in Camp Abubakar, Philippines
Originally uploaded by mark navales

In the Bangsamoro Homeland of Muslim Mindanao, Salaah are established in the mosque even in the deep jungle of the hinterland.

This is the mosque of the late mujahid Hashim Salamat in Camp Abubakar in Bangsamoro Homeland.

Photo by Mark Navales

Unforgetbale Bongao

2008-07-05T04:25:00.000-07:00

In the deep southern part of the Bangsamoro homeland lies a pristine island called Bongao. One of its attraction is the Mt.Bongao where friendly monkeys greet you on your way up.

A photo of Bongao.

Malamawi in Basilan

2008-07-05T04:24:00.001-07:00

Once famous for kidnapping, Malamawi is touted to be the next Boracay of the south.

Malamawi

The major attraction of the province is Malamawi Island, the gateway to Basilan. The island features a lighthouse that guides ships and vintas to the channel, the Badjao and Samal cemeteries, the only lake in the province with wild ducks and Panigayan Fishing Village where spearfishing is recommended. Malamawi Island is where one will find the Alano White Beach Resort, located along its northern shore, an 11 hectare development comparable to Boracay's fine sand beaches.

Access to the province can be thru Zamboanga City. From there, a boat ride of 1 hour and 45 mins (for conventional passenger ferries) or 45 minutes for single-hull fastcrafts, will take you to the province capital. The fare ranges from Php65 (student and senior citizen's discounted fare on conventional ferries) to P130 (first-class on the fastcrafts).

Mulamawi White Beach

2008-06-26T22:36:00.001-07:00