From the MILF Website (Dec 10): CBCS holds consultations for Unity and Solidarity among Moro Traditional Leaders in Mindanao
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The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) held consultations with Moro traditional leaders on December 1 at the Al Nor Convention Center, Cotabato City.
“This program is an initiative of CBCS in trying to address the disunity among Bangsamoro people especially on the part of our leaders,” said Abdulnasit Benito, CBCS Project Officer.
The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) held consultations with Moro traditional leaders on December 1 at the Al Nor Convention Center, Cotabato City.
“This program is an initiative of CBCS in trying to address the disunity among Bangsamoro people especially on the part of our leaders,” said Abdulnasit Benito, CBCS Project Officer.
He went on to say that under this program entitled ‘Mindanao Solidarity Project 2’ in partnership with Centre for Humanitarian (CHD) Dialogue with support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), there were series of consultations in Mindanao and in Metro Manila that has targeted various sectors.
“In our past consultations we reached the groups of the academe, professionals, and religious leaders and now we are consulting traditional leaders,” he said. “Bangsamoro Unity and Solidarity; Laying Foundation towards Transition Governance” was the theme of the activity.
The Chairperson of the CBCS Guiamel M. Alim delivered the welcome and opening remarks. Alim extends his greetings and recognized the presence of guest speakers and the participants. He was very happy for the positive response of the participants for being part of the program in finding ways on how unity and solidarity of the Moro people can be achieved.
Alim recognized that the present traditional leaders are important pillars in the Moro society. He said “If you remove these pillars the foundation becomes weak [but] where are they in the peace making?” Alim had challenged the traditional leaders such as the datus and sultans to come out and speak about their stand on the present conditions of Moro people. The traditional leaders according to him could make a difference if they want but if not they cannot be forced to do so.
The following challenges were pointed out by Alim as important roles of traditional leaders: “First, do they have a conscious organize efforts? Second; do they have clear political agenda for peace for the Bangsamoro? And thirdly, do they have a collective and strong determination and political will to pursue peace in Mindanao?”
Alim said “among the pillars of Bangsamoro, how can they [datu, sultan and bae] become an instrument in bringing peace and development in the Bangsamoro?
CBCS Chairman Alim mentioned several actions on how traditional leaders can contribute for the unity and solidarity among them:
1. The sultan and datu, traditional leaders can actively campaign in building unity and solidarity among Bangsamoro;
2. They should support the ongoing peace process, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), or support the review of Final Peace Agreement (FPA);
3. Recommend specific policies to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) for inclusion in the drafting of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL);
4. Help lobby for the passage of BBL in congress.
5. Campaign for inclusion of additional areas for the Bangsamoro before the conduct of plebiscite;
6. Work for electoral reforms in the Bangsamoro;
7. Help draft a Bangsamoro development and peace agenda; and
8. Participate in running the transition and the regular government of the Bangsamoro.
Alim concluded his statements in the following key points by asking the participants. He said, “As respected traditional leaders, where do you want to see your role in the present political situation? As peace builders, what work can you play for peace? As collective identity (i.e. traditional leaders), what do you want to do as important stakeholders in the peace process?”
“We in the CBCS believe that one important key to peace in the Bangsamoro homeland is the unity of the Moro people. We also believe that our traditional leaders are not merely stakeholders but they are important pillars of the Bangsamoro society; without them the foundation will not become strong, and we further believe that if the traditional leaders wish, they can be instrumental in building peace in the Bangsamoro,” he stressed.
The administrative officer of CBCS Ismael G. Kulat recognizes the important role of traditional leaders as among of the major pillars of the society. He explained that since traditional leaders are part of the pillars of society, even in a little capacity as a small group, the sultans and datus could play many roles to become part of the process in finding solutions for the unity and solidarity among Bangsamoro.
Kulat had admitted that there is disunity among Moro tribes, the Moro fronts, and Moro political leaders.
“That is why we’ve gathered here today because we want to inform and include you in our initiatives for the unity and solidarity of our people,” he said. “In our present situation, we cannot wait for another day to come to do this thing because these are the current realities,” Kulat lamented.
The Sultan sa Dimaigal Datukaka Camsa, at the same time a Shariah Court Judge was also invited. He talked on “The Emerging Political Realities, The Need for Unity and Solidarity in the Bangsamoro and Recommendations/Ways Forward”.
Datu Camsa admitted that change in political system is not only a problem of the Moros but the entire Muslim nations. Datu Camsa also enumerated the causes of this change that brought negative impact specifically the traditional leaders and the Muslim Ummah in general.
He asked the participants, “What should be done in order to get out of this dilemma? There are no other solutions except to go back to our own customs and traditions.”
Datu Camsa shared some approaches to address the bottlenecks facing the Moro people. “The Moros should have Education, Organization, Power/Authority, Wealth, Territory, Laws, and Religion (Islam),” he narrated.
Among the speakers who spoke was Dr. Hadja Bai Bing D. Bacar, the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II of Maguindanao and President of the Maguindanaon Professionals and Employees Association of the Philippines (MAPEA).
Dr. Bacar clearly defined the role of women based on the Islamic teachings. “It is not bad if we participate in the development, it’s not forbidden by the Qur’an,” Dr Bacar said.
Dr Bacar focused on the social solidarity issues. She said that social solidarity is one of the principles of Islam for people to have quality of life and acquire standard of living. “Solidarity among Muslims in a Shariah-based relation is enjoined by Allah, the Almighty; the Qur’an and in the Sunnah (tradition or practices) of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Islam is a religion of brotherhood, kindness, cooperation and solidarity,” Dr Bacar told the participants.
“Social solidarity in Islam is a requirement for Muslims where they can achieve permanent peace and happiness, goodwill, and security,” she pointed out.
Another speaker was Datu Norodin Oyod of Taviran, DOS, Maguindanao. He said, “Achieving unity and solidarity among Moros is very hard unless all the pillars that were mentioned a while ago by Chairman Guiamel Alim are met.”
He encouraged his fellow sultans and datus to actively involved by sharing their ideas or suggestion for the crafting of the BBL. Datu Oyod said that he is willing to become part of the lobby mission group to the congress in support to the passage of the BBL.
“We need to have one direction [for our advocacy] so that we could have strong campaign in support to the peace process. We need strong leaders because that is the prerequisite of a strong government,” he said.
Datu Oyod is very optimistic that unity can be achieved. He said “the unity that we’re aiming for is possible; we will use our charisma as traditional leaders to influence our constituents in working for peace.”
Included in the program were the messages of commitments of the sultans and datus of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao represented by Datu Nasser Ayunan Lidasan; Mohamad Sali Datudakula VIII of Zamboanga Sibugay; Datu Emilio Quirod represented the Davao region; and Datu Emilton Abedin, “Datu sa Suguda Buayan” Koronadal, South Cotabato.
The last part of the consultation program was the syntheses by Chairman Alim. There were two major challenges in unity and solidarity between and among traditional leaders which he mentioned, first, “How to pursue a new model of leadership without losing the status of being descendants of traditional leaders? And secondly, where do you want to use your influence?”
Signing of support and commitment by the participants for unity and solidarity of the Bangsamoro people was the main part of the program.
The traditional leaders who participated in the consultations on unity and solidarity organized by the CBCS came from different Moro communities in Davao region, Central Mindanao comprising Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Cotabato City; SocSarGen area (South Cotabato, Sarangani & General Santos City), Northern Mindanao such as Lanao areas, and Western Mindanao.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/707-cbcs-holds-consultations-for-unity-and-solidarity-among-moro-traditional-leaders-in-mindanao
“In our past consultations we reached the groups of the academe, professionals, and religious leaders and now we are consulting traditional leaders,” he said. “Bangsamoro Unity and Solidarity; Laying Foundation towards Transition Governance” was the theme of the activity.
The Chairperson of the CBCS Guiamel M. Alim delivered the welcome and opening remarks. Alim extends his greetings and recognized the presence of guest speakers and the participants. He was very happy for the positive response of the participants for being part of the program in finding ways on how unity and solidarity of the Moro people can be achieved.
Alim recognized that the present traditional leaders are important pillars in the Moro society. He said “If you remove these pillars the foundation becomes weak [but] where are they in the peace making?” Alim had challenged the traditional leaders such as the datus and sultans to come out and speak about their stand on the present conditions of Moro people. The traditional leaders according to him could make a difference if they want but if not they cannot be forced to do so.
The following challenges were pointed out by Alim as important roles of traditional leaders: “First, do they have a conscious organize efforts? Second; do they have clear political agenda for peace for the Bangsamoro? And thirdly, do they have a collective and strong determination and political will to pursue peace in Mindanao?”
Alim said “among the pillars of Bangsamoro, how can they [datu, sultan and bae] become an instrument in bringing peace and development in the Bangsamoro?
CBCS Chairman Alim mentioned several actions on how traditional leaders can contribute for the unity and solidarity among them:
1. The sultan and datu, traditional leaders can actively campaign in building unity and solidarity among Bangsamoro;
2. They should support the ongoing peace process, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), or support the review of Final Peace Agreement (FPA);
3. Recommend specific policies to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) for inclusion in the drafting of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL);
4. Help lobby for the passage of BBL in congress.
5. Campaign for inclusion of additional areas for the Bangsamoro before the conduct of plebiscite;
6. Work for electoral reforms in the Bangsamoro;
7. Help draft a Bangsamoro development and peace agenda; and
8. Participate in running the transition and the regular government of the Bangsamoro.
Alim concluded his statements in the following key points by asking the participants. He said, “As respected traditional leaders, where do you want to see your role in the present political situation? As peace builders, what work can you play for peace? As collective identity (i.e. traditional leaders), what do you want to do as important stakeholders in the peace process?”
“We in the CBCS believe that one important key to peace in the Bangsamoro homeland is the unity of the Moro people. We also believe that our traditional leaders are not merely stakeholders but they are important pillars of the Bangsamoro society; without them the foundation will not become strong, and we further believe that if the traditional leaders wish, they can be instrumental in building peace in the Bangsamoro,” he stressed.
The administrative officer of CBCS Ismael G. Kulat recognizes the important role of traditional leaders as among of the major pillars of the society. He explained that since traditional leaders are part of the pillars of society, even in a little capacity as a small group, the sultans and datus could play many roles to become part of the process in finding solutions for the unity and solidarity among Bangsamoro.
Kulat had admitted that there is disunity among Moro tribes, the Moro fronts, and Moro political leaders.
“That is why we’ve gathered here today because we want to inform and include you in our initiatives for the unity and solidarity of our people,” he said. “In our present situation, we cannot wait for another day to come to do this thing because these are the current realities,” Kulat lamented.
The Sultan sa Dimaigal Datukaka Camsa, at the same time a Shariah Court Judge was also invited. He talked on “The Emerging Political Realities, The Need for Unity and Solidarity in the Bangsamoro and Recommendations/Ways Forward”.
Datu Camsa admitted that change in political system is not only a problem of the Moros but the entire Muslim nations. Datu Camsa also enumerated the causes of this change that brought negative impact specifically the traditional leaders and the Muslim Ummah in general.
He asked the participants, “What should be done in order to get out of this dilemma? There are no other solutions except to go back to our own customs and traditions.”
Datu Camsa shared some approaches to address the bottlenecks facing the Moro people. “The Moros should have Education, Organization, Power/Authority, Wealth, Territory, Laws, and Religion (Islam),” he narrated.
Among the speakers who spoke was Dr. Hadja Bai Bing D. Bacar, the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II of Maguindanao and President of the Maguindanaon Professionals and Employees Association of the Philippines (MAPEA).
Dr. Bacar clearly defined the role of women based on the Islamic teachings. “It is not bad if we participate in the development, it’s not forbidden by the Qur’an,” Dr Bacar said.
Dr Bacar focused on the social solidarity issues. She said that social solidarity is one of the principles of Islam for people to have quality of life and acquire standard of living. “Solidarity among Muslims in a Shariah-based relation is enjoined by Allah, the Almighty; the Qur’an and in the Sunnah (tradition or practices) of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Islam is a religion of brotherhood, kindness, cooperation and solidarity,” Dr Bacar told the participants.
“Social solidarity in Islam is a requirement for Muslims where they can achieve permanent peace and happiness, goodwill, and security,” she pointed out.
Another speaker was Datu Norodin Oyod of Taviran, DOS, Maguindanao. He said, “Achieving unity and solidarity among Moros is very hard unless all the pillars that were mentioned a while ago by Chairman Guiamel Alim are met.”
He encouraged his fellow sultans and datus to actively involved by sharing their ideas or suggestion for the crafting of the BBL. Datu Oyod said that he is willing to become part of the lobby mission group to the congress in support to the passage of the BBL.
“We need to have one direction [for our advocacy] so that we could have strong campaign in support to the peace process. We need strong leaders because that is the prerequisite of a strong government,” he said.
Datu Oyod is very optimistic that unity can be achieved. He said “the unity that we’re aiming for is possible; we will use our charisma as traditional leaders to influence our constituents in working for peace.”
Included in the program were the messages of commitments of the sultans and datus of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao represented by Datu Nasser Ayunan Lidasan; Mohamad Sali Datudakula VIII of Zamboanga Sibugay; Datu Emilio Quirod represented the Davao region; and Datu Emilton Abedin, “Datu sa Suguda Buayan” Koronadal, South Cotabato.
The last part of the consultation program was the syntheses by Chairman Alim. There were two major challenges in unity and solidarity between and among traditional leaders which he mentioned, first, “How to pursue a new model of leadership without losing the status of being descendants of traditional leaders? And secondly, where do you want to use your influence?”
Signing of support and commitment by the participants for unity and solidarity of the Bangsamoro people was the main part of the program.
The traditional leaders who participated in the consultations on unity and solidarity organized by the CBCS came from different Moro communities in Davao region, Central Mindanao comprising Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Cotabato City; SocSarGen area (South Cotabato, Sarangani & General Santos City), Northern Mindanao such as Lanao areas, and Western Mindanao.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/707-cbcs-holds-consultations-for-unity-and-solidarity-among-moro-traditional-leaders-in-mindanao