The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, which was established with an independent political, economic and military order in the internal affairs of the Philippines after long years of Islamic resistance, continues to be ruled by Moro Muslims. Datu Abdulsettar Zaillon, Director of Moro International Student Association, requested support from Turkey especially in the field of education, “Our the most important shortcoming is in the field of education. Therefore, the main agenda of our prime minister is the development and improvement of education, health and the economy. We expect support from Turkey as well,” he said.
The Moro Muslims, who gained their independence after 50 years of struggle in the Asian continent, established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region with an independent political, economic and military order in the internal affairs of the Philippines State in the past years. Datu Abdulsettar Zaillon, Director of Moro International Student Association, spoke to our newspaper about Muslims and current developments in the region. Zaillon added, “Our main goal in the region is to have a moral country, as in the past.”
“OUR STRUGGLE IS STARTED IN OLDER TIMES”
Noting that the beginning of the struggle for the Islamic state dates back to ancient times, Zaillon stated that there are often people who come to Christianize the Muslim people in the region and said, “Our struggle has actually been going on for 6 centuries. After Magellan's Christianization effort, we also opposed the Americans' Christianization effort. We did not accept the Philippine state as we were against the Spaniards and the Americans. Our state is called Bangsomoro and our religion is Islam. We have felt in the past in our struggle against the Philippine state what our brothers in Arakan feel now. Our struggle has continued since 1976.”
“TURKEY'S PRESENCE MADE OUR WORK EASIER IN GAINING AUTHORITY”
He stated that he believed that Turkey's being behind the struggle, as well as the struggle, had an effect on the establishment of the Bangsomoro Autonomous Region established in the region. Zaillon added, “Turkey has always supported us in our struggle. The establishment of the Bangsomoro Autonomous Region was easier with Turkey to be behind us. With the referendum held in 2019, our autonomous region was established. They were together with Mr. Hadji Murat, the leader of the struggle and the Prime Minister of Bangsomoro, during the time of Erbakan Hodja in Turkey. The fact that Turkey is behind us has made it easier for us in many ways.”
"OUR GOAL IS TO LIVE ISLAMIC LIFE IN MORO BY PEOPLE"
Pointing out that the Philippines State restricted many areas of Muslims in the past, Zaillon stated that Muslims also left their own lands and said, “The island of Mindanaou was a completely Islamic region in the past. As Israel did in Palestine, Muslims moved from the island. Even Muslims were restricted from buying land on the island of Mindanaou. We aim for people in the Moro region to live an Islamic life.”
"WE WANT TO DETERMINE OUR OWN FATE LIKE IN KASHMIR"
Pointing out that the Autonomous Bangsomoro Region is insufficient for Muslims, Zaillon stated that the main struggle is to have the right to self-determination of Muslims and added, “The autonomous region we have won is not enough for us. The Philippines did not allow our economy to develop in the past, nor did it give us our right to education, our right to peace and freedom in our faith. The Philippines government owes us a lot. They also have to pay these debts. Our elders state that if we cannot get the debts in peacetime, we will not be able to get them ever. That is why our struggle continues to get everything necessary. Our main struggle in the Philippines is to establish an Islamic state. We express that we want to determine our own destiny as in Kashmir.”
HE EXPRESSED PROBLEMS OF MORO MUSLIMS IN THE CONFERENCE
Datu Abdulsettar Zaillon, Director of Moro International Student Association, who came to Turkey for the conference organized by the Center for Economic and Social Researches (ESAM) and the International Youth Forum (IYFO). He expressed the problems of Moro Muslims at the conference held at ESAM Headquarters in Ankara.