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A
nation is reborn in the Moro. Though centuries older than the Filipino
nation in the North, it is long-lost in the debris and fame of the past.
It last reasserted its identity decades after the entry of America. But
it was not to claim past glory, rather, it was to unshackle the gory
image put on it by colonialism.
Alas!
This was a monumental error; for the name Moro symbolizes national
identity, power and belief in one true God.
Today
this error is being set right. Under the banner of Islam the Moro nation
or what the MILF calls Bangsamoro is trying to make history repeat its
laurels and feats for its honor - and even more, to reconstruct and
build a vibrant, dynamic and progressive homeland for everyone to live
happily ever after.
This
book on the Moros is not presumed to be exhaustive and scholarly. It is
not history either. The following pages constitute an attempt to explain
the hows and whys the Moros became strangers to the land they had
nurtured for centuries - and which they are now trying to liberate -
with their "blood, seat and tears."
Much
has been written about this nation, but invariably all those, with due
respect to where respect is due, are little lacking in vision necessary
in order to feel and grasp the totality of the situation in our
homeland. it is this author's firm conviction that only someone involved
body and spirit in the present struggle could really portray our
people's sentiments and aspirations. Outsiders may indulge in endless
speculations from their respective postures or conduct tiresome
researches but in all likelihood will perforce fail to paint a complete
perspectives of this nation and its struggle. Paradoxically enough, the
extent and intensity of a revolution, nay a jihad, can be felt and
described much vividly by none save those who are in the thick of it or
perchance those inspired by it.
This
book is written with the earnest hope to inform the unprejudiced readers
about the crisis that had overtaken our people and our homeland. Without
sustained efforts to expose the crimes of the Manila government against
our people and, no doubt, also against humanity, the world might only
connive at its tyranny, embolden its inhuman policies and perpetuate its
brutality.
That
the Moro is a nation under endless tyranny is a premise that his book
tries to narrate and explain - and hopefully will prove.
The
original title of this book in the first edition is Bangsamoro: A Nation
Under Endless Tyranny. In this edition, I dropped the word for brevity
and more importantly to do away with the technical confusion arising out
of it. Bangsamoro is literally translated into "Moro nation"
and therefore to retain it is redundant. The readers may notice in the
course of reading this book that the author uses only he word Bangsamoro
as it was used by the MILF, MNLF or any group.
This
work would not have been made possible without the valuable assistance
of Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Ondel Meling, Dr. Esmael Disoma, Malik A.
Mantawil, Manda Kalim, Esmael Abdula, Alfaro Alilaya, Yusuf Abdullah,
Abdulwahab Guialal, Boy Alano, Al Mukhlis and other persons, whose
identities right now cannot be disclosed for some guarded reasons. To
them, I owe my special indebtedness.
To
Atty. Lanang Ali for reviewing the manuscipt and offering some advice,
especially on legal matters.
I
am obliged to render my personal thanks to Dr. Alunan C. Glang for his
warm support and moral encouragement.
I
would like to express my unending gratitude to Abu Maarouph for all his
professional, moral and material support in the making of this book. I
will never forget.
In
conclusion, I say "thank you" to all of them.
SALAH
JUBAIR
Author
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