Mandate in the Moroland by Peter Gordon Gowing

Mandate in Moroland: The American Government of Muslim Filipinos, 1899-1920

Hi there.

I went to the library yesterday and looked for books that would give me background on American colonization in the Philippines vis-a-vis the Bangsamoro. I found this one by Peter Gordon Gowing at the Filipiniana section.

This book narrates and explains the intent of the American colonization to the Bangsamoro. It points out that the Philippines are not theirs "to exploit, but to develop, to civilize, to educate, to train in the science of self-governement."

If  I consider Majul to be in authority when it comes to Spanish and Pre-Spanish history of the Muslims, I consider this book to be the best in Muslim History during the American period.

Mindanao Reader notes:

The Americans developed the policy what they called the "policy of attraction" and that succeeded where military occupation and incessant warfare failed.p4

Americans brought to Moroland their western concept of the separation between the sacred and the secular.p323

The "Moro problem" continues to be an obstacle to the proper economic and political development of Mindanao and Sulu and impedes the national integration. The "Moro problem" requires the expenditure of funds and energy which the Philippine Republic can ill-favored.

Moro-Christian Filipino unity, envisioned by Rizal and others, stoutly defended in Filipino nationalism, carried forward by the American government of Moroland and still cherished by Filipinos of good will, also requires immediate and extensive repair. p344

Mindanaoreader visits Sulu Part 1

Yes! I went to the beautiful Island of Jolo, Sulu. I didn't even feel a hint of nervousness. Sulu is commonly perceived as dangerous, war zone, home of the barbaric Abu Sayyaf, and unsafe place. I cannot blame you if you have this perception because seemingly all news coming out from this Island contain if not bombing or kidnapping, an encounter with the AFP and the Moro rebels and the beheadings.

I was in Sulu last July 20-23, and 29-30. It was in this period that Australia issued travel advisory  in which they  "strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao due to the very high threat of terrorist attack kidnapping, and violent crime. Armed clashes between Philippine security forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or other armed groups could occur anywhere, anytime in central and western Mindanao."I neglected the advsisory. I'm not an Australian.

To my amazement, I've discovered many beautiful things in Sulu which were not mentioned in the news. The island is very rich in agricultural products and fish of different kinds. The people are kind and very hospitable. Let me share to you some of the pics taken there.    

The Sulu Provincial Capitol. It's where the office of the Provincial Governor Sakur Tan is located.  During the mid-15th century until the 19th century, Sulu is being led by the Sultans in an Islamic Sultanate. Sultans "office" or its palace is called Astana. So from "Astana" to "Capitol". There are still Sultans in the area , the descendants of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II. They still have the influence, though  not as strong and as wide as before. And I mean "they" because there are four or more  who claim that they are the right and lawful Sultans.

Mount Carmel: The Christian cemetery located in Jolo. Though majority are Muslims, the Tausug respect the Christians. Christians and Muslims live harmoniously in Jolo.

The  Majestic Tulay Masjid: The largest and tallest structure is situated at the heart of Jolo (the capital). The Sulu architecture should remind us that they are not backward people, but civilized people influenced by the advent of Islam in    12h century.  Islam is more than an influence; it's their life.

We have our own wrong conceptions and biases against Muslims and the Sulu people. One way to eliminate these is to be with them, talk, and eat with them. Then we'll realize that we have much more similarities than our differences. Planning to visit Mindanao? You may consider Sulu. Just make sure you have friends/contacts when you visit the Island. Surprise visit is not advised.

Muslims in the Philippines by Cesar Adib Majul

I'm currently reading this book by University of the Philippines Professor Cesar Adib Majul. It digs deeper the Muslim history and its various versions in the Philippines. Now that the Philippine Government is  having  peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, this book could give us a historical glimpse on why the Bangsamoro people are struggling for their right to self-determination.This book is in authority when it comes to Muslim History in pre-Spanish until Spanish period in the Philippines as it makes use of the primary sources which includes correspondence made by the various priests and sultans. The author himself went to Mindanao to do an intensive investigation and  interviewed the heirs of Sultan. From first Muslims in the Philippines, to the Sultanates, including the Moro wars fought between Moros and Spanish with the "Indios" in between, this book is a must-read to all the Muslim youth as well as to the Christians.

mindanaoreader notes:

In brief the establishment of the Sultanate was based on the consent given to it by a generally Islamized people. p.7

 In general, Islam has always propounded obedience to authority as long as no danger to the faith exists. p.10

Saleeby's date of 1450 for the arrival of the Sharif Ul Hashim can be taken as plausible estimate...p.13

Qudarat was also entitled Nasir ud-Bin and around 1650's had become the most powerful Muslim ruler in the Philippine Archipelago. His declaration of the jihad (holy war) around this time could have endeared him so much to the ulama of the different Muslim sultanates, including the moluccas, that they could have included him in their prayers. After all, there was a heightened consciousness of Islam during this time that transcended regional and dynastic loyalties.

 When Legazpi arrived in Philippine waters in 1565, the process of Islamization was already manifested in varying degrees, in both extent and kind in the various parts of the country.p.36

 With regard to the time element, Manila at the arrival of Legazpi was still at a stage which Maguindanao and Buayan had already passed more than half of a century before.p.37

There existed during the last quarter of the thirteenth century if not earlier a Muslim settlement or community in Sulu. This probably consisted of foreign traders, some of whom married members of the ruling families or even played some political role. Tuan Masha'ika and Tuhan Maqbalu belong to this stage. Men like them brought the first elements of Islam and raised Muslim families.p.63 

 The establishment of Muslim political institutions, more specifically the Sultanate under the Sharif ul-Hashim by middle of the 15th century... The acceptance of the sultanate institution by the coastal chiefs suggest that Islamic consciousness must have been quite widespread among them. Organized religion instruction became common.p.63

 It was common knowledge among Spaniards during Legazpi's time that the ruling family of Manila was not only related to the Bornean Sultan but was of Bornean origin. The famous Rajah Sulayman of Manila a nephew of Rajah Matanda, was also reported to have married a daughter of a Borneo Sultan and to have been Bornean origin.