(May 8-15)

Indeed, the passing away of Aleem Abdulaziz Mimbantas, the No. 2 man in the MILF hierarchy, is a great loss. It would take some time before the MILF can replace him. He stuck with the MILF-led struggle through thick and thin and never wavered in his belief that the Moros could never be good under the status quo. He was one of the few especially in Lanao who is an “aleem” (pl. ulama) or one learned in Islam who chose the harsh way and went underground after his graduation in an Islamic university in the Middle East.  (This is also true to Moro secular-educated professionals).

He is gone forever, yes, but not in our hearts and in our people’s memories. His example, his dedication, and his brotherly ways and dealings will live with us forever. More importantly, a mujahid (striver in the way of Islam) is never considered dead; he is living in the mercy of the Almighty. Abdulaziz is considered a martyr, who still wants to go back to earth and rejoin those still striving in order to continue their struggle. The Qur’an says in at least two occasions:

"And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah:

'They are dead.'  Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not.  (The Noble Quran, 2:154)"

"Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead.   Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.  They rejoice in the Bounty provided by Allah:  And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.  They glory in the Grace and Bounty from Allah, and in the fact that Allah suffereth not the reward of the faithful to be lost (in the least).  (The Noble Quran, 3:169-171)"

Surely, the true measure of Abdulaziz’s contribution to the struggle is how his example carries weight and emulated after his exit. That means to say, loyalty is rendered to the MILF as an organization, and not to one man. There is no place for hero’s worship in Islam and in the MILF.

In his lifetime, he had exemplified how to subject personal and tribal considerations in exchange for the higher interests of the Moros as a nation. He knew that politically and tribally the highest feat that Moros can achieve cannot be above the formation of the Sulu, Maguindanao, and Buayan sultanates and the Pat=a-Pangampong Ko Ranao. Something had to be done to elevate the level of this status; and for which reason, he always believed that a Moro nation has to be built upon the ruins and feats of past events. This was only superseded, however, by his loftier agendum: the need to implant and strengthen Islam amongst Muslims, without any remiss to the rights of non-Muslims to their religions or beliefs. Even if he failed to see the real fruits of this conviction during his lifetime, but the signs are very much evident today. The emerging nation, initially in the psyche’ of Moros in 1924, was given a shot in the arm after the MILF and government signed the GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles on August 24, 2012, which, among others, has given Moros their right of identity. Also, Islam has not only become stronger amongst the Muslims but their capacity to defend their rights and promote their aspirations has increased manifold.

Our brothers in Lanao are not short of good men and women. A new Abdulaziz will surely emerge from their ranks. It is only a matter of time.