The Sultan of Sulu's decision to occupy Sabah is his jihad

The Islamic revolution is shaping up in Mindanao, specifically, in the islands of Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, traditional hotbeds of radical struggle since the colonial times up to now. The struggle centers on one big real estate issue---the ownership of lands being occupied by Bangsamoros. Historically, these lands were under the administration of three Sultanates---the Sultanate of Buayan, the Sultanate of Maguindanao and the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo. All of these Sultanates were conquered by the Americans.

When political independence was granted by the United States government, these occupied lands then came under the administration of the Philippine government. Evidence that these lands are now under the patrimony of the Philippines were its inclusion in the definition of Philippine territory, and visible signs of these lands being under the administration of the government, such as it being under the protection of the State's security forces and obedience of the people to the laws of the land.

Residents became and considered themselves "Filipino citizens". These include Bangsamoros who militated against the government. Bangsamoros consider themselves Filipino Muslims.

When organized militancy became visible, a huge segment of the Bangsamoros consider themselves not as Filipinos, but as "Bangsamoros" only and others, "Muslims" only. In the Noble Qu'ran, there really is no other nationality except the faithful as a "Muslim". Affixing another nationality in the term "Muslim" is considered shirk, since every one who professes to believe in Islam falls under the Nation of Islam, which is one nation under Allah SWT. The two billion Muslims around the world are citizens of the Ummah or Jemaah Islamiyah or the Islamic community.

In Mindanao, there are those who believe in this, which considers themselves only as "Muslims" and those who consider themselves as "Filipino Muslims". Some do not agree on being called "Filipino Muslims", since the term "Filipino" is rather an append to slavery.

Anyway, for Muslims, their religion is the top-most in mind, with citizenship falling second, even last of their considerations or priorities.

However, when property claims are being discussed, Muslims take these things very seriously. The struggle for property ownership is something very important for any Muslim. Fact is, the struggle for one's property is a cause or reason for jihad or a declaration of Holy War.

The believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then do not doubt [the verity of Islam], and jahadu (do jihad) with their properties and selves in the way of Allah; those are the truthful (49.15).

What the Sultan of Sulu is doing falls under his own belief that occupying his own property is his jihad. Those who follow him, is also following the righteous path because it is encouraged by the Noble Qu'ran and the Al-Muslim to help fellow Muslims in their strivings. Threats against property, life or one's honor are drivers for jihad.

The only question is---will this be a peaceful or an armed jihad?

Had the occupiers of Sabah been non-Muslims or even Muslim, the prescription is still a peaceful jihad. Muslims are encouraged to resolve these things in a peaceful manner, since the very act of negotiating peace is, by itself, jihad.

Now, whether or not these Muslims under the Sultan of Sulu consider themselves merely as Muslims and therefore, under the tutelage of the Sultan or as citizens of the Philippines, the fact remains that they are under the political jurisdiction of the Philippines and therefore, enjoys the rights of a Filipino citizen.

Being so, and respecting the rights of the Sultan of Sulu in his claims of ownership of Sabah, here comes the tricky part---how to resolve the impasse?

The best way is for the Philippine government to resolve the issue by silently backing the Sabah claim and creating an open channel between the Sultan of Sulu and the Malaysian government. This dispute, honestly, is between the Sultan of Sulu (the Philippine government in its back) and the Malaysian government which occupies Sabah as a lessee. Talks should be encouraged between the two.

I believe that this issue could be resolved peacefully if the Malaysian government agrees to raise the lease payments from its present state to, at least US$ 3 billion. I think the Sultan of Sulu will agree on this, since the only reason why it is occupying Sabah right now is it wants to publicly announce that Sabah still falls under the territories of the Sultanate.

Or, include the Sultanate of Sulu in the Federation of Malaysia, thereupon creating the concept of duality in citizenship for those who profess to follow the Sultan. A peaceful resolution is in the horizon. All camps should only reason and open their minds and adhere to the truth and mete justice to those who need it.

Military strike against Sultan's followers will internationalize Sabah issue

Why are Malaysian security forces so eager to "flush out" through a military strike, their fellow Muslims now allegedly occupying illegally, a portion of Sabah? Do they not realize the serious implications of such a strike, not just their foreign relations with the Philippine government; moreso with the peoples of Sabah and to regional stability?

Malaysia's eagerness to strike the followers of the Sultan of Sulu reminds us of the actions of syndicates running those shanties in Brazil or Metro Manila. Imagine, a renter asking the owner of the land to leave his very own property?

In Islam, ownership of property is one of the most important rights. All Muslims acknowledge the rights of a Muslim who owns the property.

The Sultan of Sulu, by historic right, owns this parcel of land, which was granted by a British company to the Malaysians upon transfer of political sovereignty.

A military strike against these fellow Muslims who only want to dialogue with their fellow Muslims who are now occupying a parcel of land which, by right, is theirs, is something halal.

As said by the Noble Qu'ran, when a pious One was questioned about his nationality, he says "Muslim!" or "Islam". In this case likewise, why does the Malaysian government fear about this, when it is a dispute between brothers? Using or attempting to use force over some issue is not being encouraged in Islam.

A military strike by Malaysian forces against this group of the Sultan of Sulu will transform this place into a regional magnet of Islamic militancy. Malaysia's act will be likened to an injustice. This will also consolidate other forces in the region who sees the legitimacy of the claims of the Sultan of Sulu as true and honest.

Malaysia, do not hasten this option because it might create a far more serious tension in the region.

A Kingdom arose from the GRP-MILF Peace Agreement

For a comprehensive understanding of what is happening in Sabah right now, read my friend Arlyn dela Cruz's article over at the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) at http://globalnation.inquirer.net/64577/heirs-of-sultan-of-sulu-pursue-sabah-claim-on-their-own.

Now, the more important question---why is it that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines practically ignored the claims of the Kitams who claim to be the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo?

According to deep sources, Malaysia insists that the GRP should ignore the claims of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu in exchange for a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Malaysia's interests in serving as mediator in the peace negotiations between the GRP and the MILF is really in keeping with its general national interests of keeping Sabah as their "property" and under their management.

Meaning, Malaysia used the MILF as a bait for the GRP to ignore the legitimate claims of the Kirams in relation to Sabah. Therefore, the GRP-MILF peace agreement is nothing more than a concession.

Sabah was a gift of the Sultan of Borneo to the Sultan of Sulu after the Islamic forces quelled a possible rebellion and war in Borneo. The Bornean sultan gave his two territories--Sabah and Palawan--to the Sultan of Sulu who, back in the 16th century, was the regional hegemon. The cession of territory happened in 1658.

In 1878, Sultan Jamalul Ahmad Kiram leased Sabah to a British company. The British at that time, was the colonizer of Malaysia. The lease agreement was between Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent. In the agreement, it specifically disallowed the turnover of Sabah to any other government or personality without the expressed approval of the Sultan of Sulu.

In 1968, Britain granted political independence to Malaysia and in turn, ceded the administration even of Sabah to the Malaysian government.

The entire Kitam clan has already united. Their claim is basically legal in the sense that even the Malaysian government is paying them monthly rent or "cession money" amounting to US$1,500, which, to the heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram, especially to Muhammad Fuad Kiram I, the reigning Sultan, is very small. Sabah is about 77,000 square kilometers and contributes 30 billion dollars annually to the Malaysian economy. IN current terms, Malaysia should pay the current lessor at least US$ 3 billion dollars in rent annually.

However, because of the consistent ignorance of the Philippine government, and the fact that, the Philippine government is, in itself, a colonizer so to speak of the Sultanate of Sulu, this administration practically abandoned the claim and in exchange for a so-called "lasting peace" in Mindanao, allowed Malaysia's participation in the peace process.

Thus, a Kingdom now rose up, and is expected to press its legitimate claims until the end.