It boggles the mind now that this concept was once deemed unviable and merely a pipe dream for the Muslims of Mindanao. But it’s been a reality for nearly three decades now because this month marks the 27th anniversary of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
This is a significant milestone for ARMM and it’s celebrating the anniversary with an elaborate series of colorful events throughout the month. The celebrations center on the subject of Peace and Culture and are thus bannered under the title, “Pakaradyaan sa ARMM 2017.”
As suggested by the title, the events were designed to highlight the rich heritage of Muslim Mindanao and Peace celebration. Its elective chief executive is reformist Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman, husband of Anak-Mindanao Partylist Congresswoman Sitti Djalia Turabin, who shares her #Pride about her husband’s achievements.
Mindanao has been the homeland of Muslims for several centuries now. It was in the 14th century when Arab trader Karim Makhdum set foot on the islands of the Sulu archipelago, which was a good 200 years before Ferdinand Magellan first stepped on Mactan Island in Cebu. Sultans were established and the islanders quickly adopted the Muslim culture. So strong is the Muslim identity, not even the Spaniards could convert or instill its own culture in Mindanao, which remained independent for four centuries of Spanish rule. Likewise, through the American colonial rule and the Philippine republic, the Moros fought to maintain independence.
What the Moros had been hoping for was finally attained in 1989 when the ARMM was established by a law that mandated an independent region in Muslim Mindanao. It was inaugurated in Nov. 8, 1990 in Cotabato City, the provisional capital.
The month-long festivities are held at the ORG Compound and Shariff Kabungsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in Cotabato City, ARMM’s seat of government. These events feature dances, sports, beauty pageant and Moro Food Festival.
It is customary to kick-off the celebration with rites at the 634-year-old Shiek Karimul Makhdum Mosque in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. Shiek Karimul Makhdum was a preacher from Malaysia who established the Muslim religion in the Philippines in the 14th century. As the oldest, religious historical landmark in the Philippines, it is now a museum, which is being preserved as a heritage building.
Pagkaradjaan 2017 also includes summits with government agencies and private sector and a workshop on final literacy. Film festivals by young independent filmmakers tell the stories of the Moros.
The different Moro tribes like Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Teduray and Yakan offer their specialties. The Moro cuisine uses local ingredients cooked with coconut milk and turmeric and paired with such staples as palapa similar to sambal, rendang and sweets such as cassava cupcakes and native rice cakes. The highlight is the ARMM version of Master Chef culinary competition.
In December, Muslim music, dance and costumes will be showcased in nightly cultural programs by the different tribes along with a men’s basketball and volleyball tournament.
Pagakaradjaan is a chance for Hataman to rally for peace efforts. As head of ARMM’s Regional Peace and Order Council, he underscores the importance of law enforcement operations against terrorists and armed groups.
Hataman also aims to talk with leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on how to speed up the peace process.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently visited Cotabato City and assured Hataman that the ARMM and the national government will continue its support in development aid. For so long ARMM has been saddled with poverty and malnutrition. Duterte promised that the national government would provide resources and funding to help the region reduce poverty and end hunger, provide access to facilities need for agriculture, fisheries, health and social services.
Duterte expressed his confidence in Hataman’s peace and development initiatives.