NEWS




20June

MILF-Kapalawan Province holds Ramadhan Symposium 

The Kapalawan Province of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) conducted an Islamic Symposium at Kitulaan High School Convention Hall, Kitulaan, Carmen, North Cotabato on June 18, 2016. 

Speakers were Sheik Lucman Sultan, Ustadz Abdulrahem Cua, Ustadz Raez Sansaluna, Ustadza Norhaya Hadji Yusof and the Provincial Director, Committee on Information, Kapalawan Province. 

In his message, Ustadz Abdulrahem Cua explained that Islam covers all aspects of life, such as politics, economics, social, cultural, spiritual, etc. Islam has Five Pillars and Six Articles of Faith. 

The Five Pillars of Islam are: 1. Declaration of Kalimah Shahaadah (Ash-hadu allaailaaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasuluullah or Declaring that “There is no god worthy to worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger”; 2. Salaah (Praying Five Times a Day); 3. Zakat or Giving Charity or Alms to the Poor; 4. Siyaam or Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan and 5.  Performing Al-hadj wal Umrah) or Pilgrimage to Holy City of Makkah). 

The Six Articles of Faith are as follows: 1. Al-iimaanu billah (Belief in Allah); 2. Al-iimanu bi malaaikatihii (Belief in the Angels); 3. Al-iimanu bi kutubihii (Belief in all His Holy Books); 4. Al-iimanu bi Rusulihii (Belief in all His Prophets); 5. Al-iimanu bil yawmil Aakhir (Belief in the Day of Judgment); 6. Al-iimanul Bil Khairihi wa shariihii minallahi Taallah or Belief that all good and bad things emanate from Allah, Ustadz Cua enumerated. 

Aside from explaining the Five Pillars of Islam and Six Articles of Faith, Ustadz Cua further told the audience that today we are observing the holy month of Ramadhan which is the Fourth Pillar of Islam. 

He talked on how to attain Taqwa. Allah says in the Qur'an "Oh you who believe, Fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to) attain Taqwa (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183) of Qur'an al-kareem. Indeed the person who has attained Taqwa has attained excellence in the worship of his/her Lord, Ustadz Cua said. 

On his part, Sheik Sultan told the participants of a great reward for those who fast during the holy month of Ramadhan. Being generous and studying the Qur'an is recommended during all times, but it is especially stressed during the month of Ramadhan. 

“Abu Huraira reported that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: "Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadhan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to Attain ALLAH's rewards (not for showing off), all his/her past sins will be forgiven (Bukhari)", Sheik Sultan said.

In discussing his topic on the GPH-MILF Peace Process, the Kapalawan Provincial Director, Committee on Information presented the Moro situation and said that at the turn of the 20th century, the Moro people held 98% of lands in the Mindanao and its islands, except in the areas garrisoned by Spain in the Northern part which is dominated by the Indigenous un-Islamized 23 ethnic tribes. 

They own all the lands in Mindanao and its islands on the eve of the colonization. Today, the Moros and Indigenous People owned less than 17% of lands in remote and un- fertile mountain areas. 

Some main reasons why Moro people loss their ancestral lands and taken by Christian Settlers from Luzon and the Visayas were various Public Acts, Mining Acts, Cadastral Acts, Republic Acts, Legislative Acts, Commonwealth Acts and other government issuances. 

These laws by Filipino lawmakers of Luzon and Visayas were enacted without the consent and knowledge of the Moros. For example, Public Act 719- April 4, 1903, declaring NULL AND VOID all lands granted by Moro Sultans, datus or tribal chiefs of indigenous people to their constituents. 

This act dispossessed Moros of their lands. Another law- Public Act 926- October 7, 1903, which declared all lands not registered under Act 496 as "PUBLIC LANDS". All public lands are available for homestead, lease or sale by individual. Public Land Act 2894 in the year 1919 allows Filipinos to own 24 hectares while Moros and IP's only 10 hectares. 

Under this Act, Christians settlers can own land titles even before coming to Mindanao and Sulu. Commonwealth Act 141 of November 7, 1936 states that Christian settlers were allowed to own 42 hectares while Moros and Indigenous peoples allowed only 4 hectares and corporations are allowed to own up to 1,024 hectares, the Information Director further expounded. 

Ustadza Hadj Yusof stressed that fasting in Ramadhan is a way to Paradise or Jannatul Firdous. That Ramadhan can save Muslims from the Hellfire and their sins are forgiven. 

“Paradise contains what no eye has ever seen, what no ear has ever heard, what never crossed the mind of a human being, and that contains all what a soul desires”, Ustadza Yusop said. 

Ustadz Sansaluna supplemented the three speakers by reminding the participants that during the month of the Ramadhan, all devils are chained, the doors of Hell are closed and doors of Heavens are opened. Ramadan is the month where the Noble Qur'an was revealed. 

Some eight hundred (800) Moro participants attended the symposium that ended at 12:00 noon. The vice-chairperson of SWC- Kapalawan Province acted as Master of the Ceremonies.