News right Now: The Subjugation of the Moro Muslims 

Assalaam u alaykum wa rahamtullah hee wa barakathu,

Welcome to today's episode of News Right Now- the Subjugation of the Moro Muslims.

Like any land that has been colonised and played with by outside powers, the Philippines has the same colonial legacy. Calls for independence and autonomy exist where people do not gain their rights. This has been the same for the Moro - the name given to the Muslims of the Philippines.

After many years of not being given their rights, driven out of their fertile agricultural lands from the early 1900s and engaged in a separatist struggle, which claimed thousands of civilian lives since the 1950’s , the Moro were finally given autonomy.

Historically conflict started when the US took over this land from Spain. After an agreement with the US in 1902, the Moro province was created and included Mindanao and Sulu. Since then, the territory of the Southern Philippines was directly controlled by Manila. The Moro Muslims experienced severe discrimination and compared to their non-Muslim fellow citizens. Even though the region is the most fertile and richest area with regards to natural resources in the Philippines, the Philippine government has forbidden Muslims to rule in their own territory and control their wealth.

After years of armed struggle it was in July this year that the current President, Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). This law created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This law is hailed as a way forward from conflict to peace.

At a ceremony in August, President Rodrigo Duterte announced, “Ten days ago, I signed into law the Organic Law for Bangsamoro Region for Muslim Mindanao which I hope will finally end the decades of conflict that is rooted in the Bangsamoro’s pride for self-determination and recognition of their unique identity.”

However, it is important to look at the reality of what is being given to the Moro. In this autonomy, the Muslim’s will still not have their own military and police forces, as these will continue to be under the national government.

Also the Bangsamoro government must adhere to the provisions of the Philippine Constitution.

So, the independence being celebrated is the same as in any other Muslim land where the Shariah is actually subservient to the laws of Man! Secular democratic rule is enshrined in the constitution of the Philippines. And it is this rule that was the reason for the subjugation of the Moro in the past.

With the new law, what has actually been achieved and is it actually any better for the Moro Muslims?

The Moro and all Muslims should aspire beyond limited demands that will never allow them to live by Islam in the true sense. Being part of the Ummah means to take on the obligation for Islam to be implemented holistically.

This also means that the domination of kufr has to be replaced by Islam.

Demands for some space on some land is not enough for Muslims!

For Muslims anywhere in the world, the only solution to being colonised and then gaining a fake independence is having our lands ruled by Islam once again.

The Khilafah is the only system of governance that promotes unity by having one leader and also governing the subjects, even the non muslims by a set standard law for all.

This is the only system that seeks to distribute resources to all citizens and also to propagate a message to others for their betterment and not to exploit.

Allah SWT tells us in Surah Al Anbiyah ayah 107

Bismillah ir rahmaan nir raheem

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ}

"And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds."

JazakAmullah Khair for joining us, and do join us next time. Wasalaam u alaykum wa rahmatullah hee wa barakathu hu.