Transcript YOUNG MUSLIM FILIPINOS PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS

The Situation of Muslims in the Philippines
&
YOUNG MUSLIM FILIPINOS
PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS
Shahana E. Abdulwahid
Graduate Student, Institute of Islamic Studies
Student Regent, University of the Philippines
Outline of Discussion
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Overview of the Muslim Filipino History , Struggle
, and challenges
Current problems of the Muslim Filipino Youth
Emergence of Filipino Muslim Youth Movement
and Empowerment
Peacebuidling efforts of the Filipino Muslim Youth
Our Challenges Ahead
Mindanao – Southern Philippines
Muslims in the Philippines
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Maranao - Lanao del Sur
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Sama
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Yakan
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Kolibugan
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Jama Mapun
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Iranun
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Ka’agan
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Badjao
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Balik Islam Reverts to Islam
Maguindanao - Maguindanao
 Sangil
Province and Cotabat
 Palawani
 Tausug – Sulu
 Molbog
Mindanao Population
2005 Mda Population: 20.23 M
24.1 % of Phil. population
estimated at 84.2 million
Female: 50.01%
Davao Region: largest
population with 4.09 million
CARAGA: Region with lowest
population, 2.44 million people
2.44
CARAGA*
3.99
Region 10
3.17
Region 9
Source: National Statistics Office
*Created into a region under RA No. 7901, dated
23 Feb. 1995, and taken from Regions 10 and 11.
2.72
ARMM
3.88
Region 12
Understanding Muslims’ Filipinos History
 The
coming of Islam to the Philippines was
part of the Islamization process of the Malay
world in Southeast Asia through the
movement of Sufi preacher, traders and
scholars.
 Philippines was under the Spanish colonial
rule for more than three hundred years, but
Moroland remained unconquered.
 American occupied the Philippines by virtue
of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, Philipppines
gained its independence in 1946
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Earlier in 1902, The United States Congress passed the so called
Philippine Bill – this bill recognized the distinction between the
Moros, Pagans and Christian Filipinos and the consequent
necessity of providing different forms of government for the
different groups of people.
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Thus, on June 1, 1903, the Moro Province was created where
a head tax of 2 pesos was imposed for each person. This created
resentment and dissatisfaction among the Tausugs. The
massacres of Bud Daho and Bud Badsak were among the worst
battles that the Tausugs fought against the American in defiance
to the imposition of Taxes in the Moroland. Later, The Bates
Treaty was abrogated.
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July 4, 1946: Proclamation of Philippine Independence
formally created the Philippine Republic. Moroland were
incorporated against their wishes.
Turning Points: Starting from the American
Period to the Commonwealth Period
Land Initiatives and Controversies
Land
registration Act No 496 –
Public
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Legislative Act. No. 4197 of
February 12, 1935 (Qurino
Colonization) - Deployment of
settlers to Moroland legitimized
the taking Morolands
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Commonwealth Act No. 141
Sec. 84 provides “ all Moro
landholdings as public lands”
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By a simple piece of legislation,
the Moros became landless and
were deprived of their ancestral
land holdings.
Land Act No. 718
Public
Act 926 enacted in
October 1903
Cadastral
Acts
Act
The
Act of 1907
2254 and 2280 of 1913
2254
Moros who were mostly
uneducated and did not want to
recognize any new laws failed to
register their lands
The MNLF and MILF
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The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
was organized under the leadership of
Nur Misuari on November 14, 1972.
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In 1977, Hashim Salamat broke away from
the MNLF and organized the MILF (Moro
Islamic Liberation Front)
The Peace Talk Initiatives
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President Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965-1986)
 The regime’s initial response to the MNLF was military
 1975 marked the beginning of the MNLF-GRP peace
talks that led to the signing of Tripoli Agreement in
1976 (unimplemented)
 Signing into law PD 1083 otherwise known as the
Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines in
1977
Creation of the OMA and Amanah Bank
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President Corazon C. Aquino (1986 – 1992)
 Jeddah Accord 1987
 RA 6734 Organic Act for ARMM, August 1, 1989
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President Fidel V. Ramos ( 1992-1998)
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1995 Interim Agreement – third round of formal peace talks between
the GRP and the MNLF with the participation of the Ministerial
Committee of Six and the Secretary General of the OIC. ( held in
Jakarta, Indonesia on December 1)
1996 Final Peace Agreement
Establishment of SZOPAD (Special Zone for Peace and Development)
and SPCPD (Southern Philippines Council for Peace and
Development)
Integration Program (Former MNLF integrated to the AFP)
President Joseph E. Estrada (1998-2001)
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All out war against the MILF in 2000
Suspension of Peace Process
Declaration of Jihad by MILF chairman against the Philippine
Government
Fall of 47 major and satellite MILF camps i.e. Camp Abubakar
Present Government Initiatives
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
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Ten point agenda program
Full Implementation of RA 9054 in Support to the 1996 GRPMNLF Peace Agreement
DepED Order No. 51, s. 2004. ARMM had adopted the
national standard curriculum by virtue of ARMM RG
Executive Order No. 13-A, s. 2004.
Resumption of the MILF peace talks
Declared a unilateral cease-fire and initiated exploratory
talks with the MILF and responded favorably to the three
conditions:
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that the talks be mediated by the OIC or by an OIC member
country
that the parties comply with the terms of past agreements;
and that the talks be held in a foreign venue. (Malaysia took an
active role as third-party facilitator in the exploratory phases
held in Kuala Lumpur)
The Current Situation
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The region of Mindanao , particularly Muslim
and the Indigenous Peoples (Ips) dominated –
i.e. the ARMM , Caraga, Regions 9 and 12 –
continue to experience economic, social and
political constraints that severely limit their full
participation in the development process.
Youth Issues
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Poor social services rendered
Youth concerns in war-torn areas
Low Educational Attainment
Employement due to discrimination
Formations of Some Youth Organizations
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Young Moro Professionals Network. Inc.
Association of Muslim Advocates
Muslim Students Associations
Moro Christian Peoples Alliance
Muslim Youth Leaders Assembly
SILSILAH Dialogue Movement (The Youth
Program)
Peace Education Center Inc.
Grassroots Peace Resource Center
General Objectives
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To address pressing issues of
discrimination, violence, illiteracy
To propose solutions to problems
confronting the Moro Youth
To provide services to the youth (out of
school youth
To be actively involved in political,
religious, social issues of the Moros
Inititatives and Youth-initiated Projects
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Religious
 Dawah Sessions
 Interfaith Dialogues
Livelihood Programs
Civic-oriented
Policy Making Participation
Youth Empowerment
Masjid Clean up
Youth organizations gather during summer and breaks to
conduct cleanups and hold consultations in Muslim areas
Medical Missions
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Muslim medical students hold regular
missions in non-Muslim communities.
medical
Livelihood Seminars for Muslim Women
Women have special concerns in the community. The
theme of the seminars usually focus on the role of
women in community building.
Peace Assemblies and Parliament
Convening youth organizations to come
up with resolutions pertaining MuslimChristian-Indigenous concerns and issues
Legislative Initiatives
Loobying to public officials re issues and concerns of the Muslims
in the Philippines. Muslim youth organizations have taken active
participation in this endevour.
International Ramadan Fair
This annual affair showcases rich culture of
Muslims in the Philippines
Youth Initaited Interfaith Dialogue
Youth organizations hold regular interfaith meetings to
discuss pertinent and current issues
Youth Empowerment Initiatives
Roundtable discussions,
leadership and peacebuilding
seminars regularly conducted for
Muslim youth
Challenges confronting the Moros
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Illiteracy
Poverty
High Mortality Rate due to conflict
Low life span compared to counterparts in
other parts of the country
Technological, Economic, Social, Political
Concerns
Poor social, health services delivered
Challenges Encountered
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Consistency of project implementation
Organizational structure and support
Relevance of Peacebuilding efforts
Mobilization and participation of Muslim
Filipinos
Availability of resources
Challenges Ahead
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Sustainable development
Resolving conflict through nonviolence means
Continung engagement in dialogues
Promoting peace in the community