October 20, 2012 News: Cairo, Egypt - Nearly 200 Moros and Filipinos gathered here last Monday night, October 15, to hail and celebrate the successful signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF).

The said gathering was sponsored by the Philippine Students’ Association in Cairo (PHILSAC) that has more than 300 members organized into three committees:  The Kutawato Committee, Lanao Committee, & ZambaSulu Committee.

“The signing of Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a testimony to the commitment and sincerity of both parties for peaceful resolution in old-conflict in Mindanao” said Norodin Macatambug, PHILSAC president.

The PHILSAC president conveyed his deep gratitude to His Excellency President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III for his “matuwid na daan” straight path policy that made the peace in Mindanao a reality and to the leadership of the MILF headed by Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

On his part, Mubarak Dumato, secretary of Kutawato Committee, shared his ideas on some important issues and other related matters on FAB.

“I want to state before you that the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was not axiomatic nor heresy on the objective of our struggle” he said, citing late Chairman Salamat Hashim statement on his book ‘The Bangsamoro Mujahid: His Objectives & Responsibilities’.

Salamat wrote in that book that his concept of self-determination is complete independence, or in the least, a meaningful autonomous government embracing the entire traditional homeland of the Bangsamoro…”

Mubarak also emphasized that the FAB is not a final agreement between the GPH and MILF, rather, it is a roadmap to a political solution to the Bangsamoro legitimate grievances, and that the parties will sign a comprehensive compact before the end of 2012 including the details of unresolved issues.

The hardest thing is how to translate the agreement on the ground and there is still lot of huge rocks & waves ahead, so the Bangsamoro and all Mindanaons must give full support and contribute until the final political settlement is reach, Dumato said.

“Whether the FAB succeeds or not is a matter that depends largely on us,” he further said.

Meanwhile, Ustadz Abdulwahab Kawilan urged the participants to spread the spirit of unity amongst the Bangsamoro regardless of religion & political affiliation.

He called on Moro leaders, Datus, and Ulamas to support the framework so the lasting peace in Moro homeland will be attained.

The gathering was opened by reading some verses in Qur’an, then a highlight on the Framework Agreement, followed by messages from different committees. The participants raised placards and pin a green ribbon as a sign of their support.

The PHILSAC was founded in 1958 by the first batch of students who studied in Al-Azhar university, one of them was the late Chairman Salamat Hashim.