Marang Season

Yesterday I went off to the small market in our community to buy food exclusively for lunch. At that time there were two tropical fruits sold, Durian and Marang. I went to the stall and tried to choose which Marang contains plenty of good flesh. After the Asar prayer I bought one Marang and together we ate with my half lemon. Honestly, one piece could not satiate our longing for it. Today after launch I bought again to really feel the toothsomeness of this seasonal fruit.

Marang is called in Malay as Buah Terap. It is a tropical fruit that has its own singularity. Perhaps this fruit grow only in Likusantara [Southeast Asia] area. 

I remember when I was in Zamboanga City I once met a Jewish-American who was a visitor of our company. That time was fruit season and that fellow had able to eat Marang we found in a renowned hotel in town. “This is a strange fruit but it’s delicious”, he said. In America, according to him, I didn’t see this sort of fruit in the market.

When I was in Basilan I remember my grandmother brought us 4 pieces of Marang from the market for just 20 pisos. A bunch of four pieces of marang is called a ganta or gantang. If you have a tied of dried fish to be brought to the market you could exchange it with a gantang of Marang.

Marang was also used by the Tausug to name their community. In Indanan, Sulu there is a place called Marang. This place had been bombarded by the Philippine Military during hari raya edil fitri 2009.

The unripe Marang is used to cook by the Tausug with coconut milk with match dried fish. This cuisine named Giyataan Marang. And the Marang seed would be roasted and pounded later after it exposes in the sun for a day. If you happen to eat marang try not to throw the marang seeds for it can give you another yummy taste.

Enjoy this fruit while still available.

The Sermon

I was in Buansa, Indanan, Sulu Darul Islam during hari raya eidil fitri and eidil adha 2010. Culturally, I really had felt the ambience of being in a Tausug homeland when the hatib [Sermon reader] delivered melodic Eid’s sermon taken from purely Arabic language note. The note believed to be archaic used to read by various hatib when the Sultanate government still lively extant. Currently, only in some parts of Sulu Darul Islam where this practice adopted particularly to them who were still valuing the noesis shared by sufi masters in this island country.

There are various reasons why the Tausug clings to this mode of conveying message during Friday despite of some changes in religious practices of the Muslim. Below are my observations on the topic.

1.       Firstly, the old folks in Sulu Darul Islam believed the sermon to be delivered must not be added with local language because it is how the previous generations of Muslims conveyed in the pulpits.

2.      Secondly, during Friday and Eid prayer it is interdict for a hatib to attack, defame, and mock the congregation or individual. Thus if to read or convey message in purely Arabic nobody would be hurt, defamed or attacked.

3.       Thirdly, the Tausug old folks explained the message of the Khutba to some Muslims right after the congregation prayer done.

The importance of sermon on Friday prayer to majority Sunni scholars regarded as the equivalent of two units [rakaat] of obligatory prayers. It is the reason during Friday the Zuhur prayer reduced into two units of prayer instead of four. Withal, the virtue can be gained from the sermon should at least gibe the rewards of two rakaat of Zuhur prayer.

According to Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani in his exposition on “The Language of the Friday Khutbah” on his commentary of the verse below that Friday khutba is part of the worship rather than the normal lecture. [pp. 10]

“O! believers,when there is a call for Salah on Friday, rush for the Dhikr of Allah and leave trade. (al-Jumu'ah:9)

The final and glorious Prophet Muhammad SAW (May Allah always uplift his status)  and his rightly guided caliphs down to the four schools of thoughts did not deliver Friday sermon in any local languages even though most of the locals did not understand the kernel of the message (Read Mufti Usmani articles for further details).

On the above light we can arrive to a conclusion that the practice of the Tausug delivering khutba in purely Arabic is in conformity with Prophet Muhammad deed.

The conveyance of Islamic message during Friday and Eid into local languages emanated from the Rabitat al-Alam Al-Islami when they issued a fatwa in Ramadhan 1975 called “ Fatwas of Muslim World Unity” they said: “It is fard for women to perform the salât of Jum’a. The Khutba of Jum’a and ’Iyd can be delivered in the native language of every country.” [Sunnipath, pp. 77] The fatwa according to the author of sunni path is evidently a form of innovation.

The melodic chanting or Lugu of the verses is a traditional form of valuing and delivering the message of Islam artistically without offending anyone. 

Thanks Allah the Tausug still carrying out this practice if not the remnants of Muslims in the past in this part of the world would be difficult to trace.

 May Allah give me more time to listen to the melodic khutba of the Tausug. 

  

The World in the 21st Century

Every day we read, hear and witness the unremitting problems of earth citizens appeared in multimedia.  A person who easily gives up witnessing any form of atrocities would free themselves by doing any act which can make them forget what was happening in their surroundings. Some of them might come to think that the malady is a mere nature of human.

The known cause to the problem can be summed up as originated from greed, selfish, and ego. These low qualities are part of being a human.  Even those pious persons are not free from having these traits prior they become Allah’s-conscious individuals.

The history of humankind throughout history was marked with the war of positive and negative traits of men. The first scenario happened on earth was during the time of Prophet Adam when Cain and Abel had quarrelled for their twin sisters. It was there the history of conflicts emanated.

Most of the time people argufy because of worldly things. We are even witnessing the shedding of blood anywhere and sacrificing the lives of innocence civilians enable just to defend the ego and interest of a group and a country.

The superpower nation is oppressing the weaker one by any means. Every country particularly those have linked to the superpower nation coined their religious ideology and labelling other countries that don’t adhere to them as heretics thus have no place in the belief they are embracing. They dare to destroy shrines of the pious and called the people visiting the grave as “grave worshippers” even  the one who paid visits are pious  and scholars.  They masked themselves with faith but their attitudes are of the devil.

This is how the people of the 21^st century behaving. If yesterday, the ancestors of every defender in their land fought with interloper right at the shore and wharf of their country, today not anymore. Defenders are everywhere searching for survival while their enemies were in their countries to do what is beneficial to them. For in their country only poverty, corruption and injustices were left.

Yesteryears the ancestors of every freedom defender were free to move in their land, today not anymore, because the system invented by the superpower country were installed anywhere to easily control and identify the wave of people come and go out of the immigration desk. If you are entering a country without legal document you will be imprisoned or simply calling you “Illegal Immigrants” and you will receive at the end not paper diploma but marked of the hit of rattan on the buttock prior to be sent home.

If you tell them of your right, they won’t listen to you. If you fight for your right they will label you as terrorist. Because once they entertain you, their interest will be stopped.

This is indeed the era of mercilessness. Only few people in today’s world giving charity secretly. Most of the leaders today are giving charity not as to do their duty but to gain popularity out of it. In some countries for example if the government giving garbage truck for public use all of the leaders’ names will be printed on that truck, so that these leaders will be re-elected next election.

One day the world and all humankind will be perished. We can be witnessing in the hereafter how the cruel men be punished for their actions towards their fellow.  Don't worry "The Oppressed".

Suppose the leaders of today’s world are not like this so that everyone can enjoy the freedom which Allah had given to them!

May Allah save us from the cruelty of this world and punishment in the hereafter.  

Good option for your Identity

Some say don’t be over focusing with your race otherwise you’ll become ethnocentric. I say, if being ethnocentric would become a means for Tausug race not to be forever entombed, why shouldn't I?

I remember when I was in college, I was totally blind of my Identity – I’m sure not only me then. Honestly, I felt uneasy to be called Filipino and had little proud to be called Moro.  However, my inner sight felt satisfied when Sulu ethnics found their long buried identity – the Tausug. 

  

I’m sure many Filipino out there particularly those living in Sulu and Mindanao experience the same identity crisis. Luckily, these days the Sultanate of Sulu had been resurrected to make vague things clear. If only not, everyone who are clamouring for real identity would be left in sidewalk searching for the answer to their doubts.  

Now we have two options to tick. Should you wish to apply your real identity mark your paper with TAUSUG citizenship if you are from Sulu Archipelago. But if you are happy of being a citizen of an Imagine nation and proud to be called Filipino, then stay where you are, because to decide for our nationality is a basic human right as stipulated in the UN charter.  

However, if you are a Filipino don’t ever dream to leave in Sulu Darul Islam territory once the De facto government of the Sultanate is fully operating even your belief would say that you are a Tausug – unless you are a Filipino diplomats.

By now the Sulu people who are still acting deaf and dumb to this reality should reconsider their decision to choose their identity. We knew the survival of Filipino identity in Sulu nowadays it’s only because of money. Even a governor in ARMM said if SSDI have enough money to sustain its government he is more than willing to join and support the Sultanate government.

The Philippine government knew this reality. But they are still working very hard not to let Sulu pull up stakes from the Philippines. What is the guarantee? If Malacanang people would adhere loyally to the International law there’s no other way to choose than to let their strivers to withdraw from Sulu Darul Islam without any trouble that would bring discommode to the people of Sulu Darul Islam and the Philippines.

Identity is important. Without it you are just like a bird has no left feather to flap in the wide sky.

Think about it fellow Tausug!

e-Tabuh open for Business

Tausug social world is also like other races in the world having their respective formal attires and food which makes them a distinct race and a civilized earth constituents. The Tausug attires marked the long survived hegemony of Islamic empire in the Island country of the Sulu Darul Islam. 

The attires of the Tausug cannot be replaced with a new fashion trend imported from other cultures.  Most especially during important occasion i.e. wedding and other social events because the Tausug costumes are beautiful yet culturally approved and their designs fitted in any social functions and programs.   

The uniqueness of Tausug costumes does not only give satisfaction to its wearer but traditionally the persons could not be outcast most likely if one attends intercultural program.

Design: Yazir Rajim

The design of Tausug costume complies with the Muslim code of dressing.  We can see it in the costume such as Sawwal, Sablay, Batawi, Lapi’, Birinu and others. The design of Sawwal is loose with wide hole on its bottom enable for a man to easily follow the recommended posture while urinating. The sablay which is intended for woman is having a long sleeve and its body cut is loose. While the Habul would serve as support cover of the woman’s breast. The Batawi for woman and Birinu for man their cuts are quite fit but both cover the private parts.

Design and Photo: Yazir Rajim

All mentioned costumes can be ordered via this number (+60168446021) and email (etabuh@gmail.com). Should you wish to own a Batawi dress, Lapi’ and Sawwal on your wedding we can provide them for you in a reasonable prices.

In our online business we are also accepting orders for Tausug confectioneries such as bangbang hantak, durul , panyam, jah and to make Dulang Pagkawinan [a tray of food for wedding ceremony]. We are also providing catering services in Sandakan area. Just give us a dial or email.

See attached graphics for prices. Shipping payment [for local and International customers] is not included on the items’ prices.    

         

Life is Always Wonderful

The Month of Muharram plays a significant role in Muslim history as well as to every Muslim who would reflect to its wisdom. No matter what kind of situation we are in on this temporal world, we should always say “Life is always wonderful anytime, any places and any situations. Life cannot be bought with money, fame, position and social status. It cannot also be downed with dysphoric feeling, poverty, and failure. That is why life is always wonderful for it birthed from the most wonderful creator.

From 2^nd December 2010 life within me didn’t change even I had visited the Sultanate of Sulu and some part of Mindanao many times. The beautiful and ugly things occurred before my eyes had just added to the innumerable memories of life. I’m only but a powerless pawn created just to appreciate the beaut of a Master’s creations.

This is what I treasured in the beauteous island of Bongao. It is there where I met the true love to which all turban wearers up to. This un-withered love taught me to appreciate Ibn Al-Arabi treatise and the work of previous saints which emanated from Allah’s beloved servant Sayyidina Muhammad [May Allah always raise his rank].  

I became so reactive if any human disrespecting the discoveries of Allah’s friends. I found garbled to a man who claimed to be experts in Islam on the other hand devaluing the teachings of the earlier scholars and friends of Allah. To me a human who loved to mock the men of love are devoid of true love.

Love is a broad thing. The one who understand its meaning is a person who truly experienced it. Love is just like a seed will not be grown in just a day. It needs more time and sacrifices before we can reap its fruits.

We are all under the shadow of a Great love. He had given us the way enable to find the way back to Him. This way had been built within us. The secret of this path cannot be easily found if negligence to the 5 keys given to Sayyidina Muhammad [May Allah always raise his rank]. In every key the true love will be revealed by itself. All human and Jinn cannot dictate this love to appear because it is beyond their understanding. Only them who had entered the house of love who can truly guide men to its door. For in every way there’s always a house at the end of it.  

Out of this love the Salsabilah fountain which used by Prophet Muhammad for ablution before he rose to heaven on Isra’ wal Mi’raj transformed into a great gift of our lives with my soul partner – Nurjameelah. A signal from above vibrating into my heart to answer my plea at the time I need a name for my baby who was still wrapped with eternal bliss inside the womb. That name I found in Surah Al-Insan of the Glorious Qur’an.

On this 2^nd day of December 2011, I thanked Allah for giving me these two beautiful kids – Sharif Aljanjawi and Sharifa Salsabilah. They are both wonderful to me. May Allah increase the love in their hearts – the love for their Country [Sultanate of Sulu], to their Bangsa [Tausug] and to their beloved Religion [Islam].

Thanks for everything Ya Allah especially for giving me a partner who understand me to the fullest. Save us from the wrath of this world and hereafter.

With the blessing of Muharram – Ya Allah - guide all the Tausug to experience your Love enable that we can truly attain the real meaning of freedom in ourselves and country. 

The Black Book: MAAS NUR MISUARI

At last, Nelson’s dream to publish his own book is now became a reality. This craft is another chef-d'oeuvre of a Tausug patriot, artist, poet and novelist.

The product of his personal experience begot ‘The Black Book’ entitled MAAS NUR MISUARI.

This book is a sort of novel that focuses on the struggle of the Father of Bangsa Moro, Prof. Dr. Nur Misuari.  To which he said: ‎"As an afterthought, knowing that my knowledge about his (Maas Nur Misuari) vision and mission in fighting for the human rights and just cause of the people is already enough to share with others, I took this bold step to write a simple novel as a tribute and my appreciation to him for being the “prime mover of the Bangsamoro revolution” in our homeland of Mindanao and Sulu." [Neldy Jolo Sulu]

Graphic: Yazir Rajim

Despite bulk of negative comments against Misuari, this book opens another positive angle where the People of Sulu and Mindanao must embrace to continue the dream which had been sowed in the past – Independence.

“...The conclusion and suggestion for the next plan of the struggle is the idea of shifting from Moro Nation to Tausug or Bangsa Sug. Sulu people have organized themselves to change citizenship from Filipino citizenship to Bangsa Sug or Tausug citizenship and nationality. 

...The cause for independence is right now being filmed by the Tausug Citizens of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam. The Tausug Citizens only claimed the territories that were part of the Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam. The members of different revolutionary groups are invited to take part as actors in the filming of the SSDI episode. The film had started showing on 17 November 2010, the declaration day of the SSDI Assertion of Independence!”  [ibid]

Thus, why to let the people of Sulu and Mindanao suffering much from colonial oppression if the panacea is with us?

Whatever reason do we have in minds; the struggle of a nation cannot be tied tightly in a group or movement most likely if it already swerved from the path because the one who were involved on this affair are the lives and fates of the people.

“...But it must be borne in mind that leaders come and go, only the cause and the inalienable rights of the people remain unaltered and undeterred by time. Whoever leads selflessly and sincerely will reap the heavenly rewards for their deeds.” [ibid]


Even the author has his own distinct opinion with regards to the struggle for self determination what is good he didn't side to any MAAS oppositions rather he took the middle way.


" To the people that envied and hated Maas using various arguments, thus criticizing him of corruption and ineffective leadership, it is up to them to prove the veracity of their charges. But since we are not privy to his life behind the scenes, whether he was really sincere to the cause or was also guilty to certain extent of some of the charges against him, we leave it to Allah SWT for the final verdict." [ibid]

To get a copy of this just send your email to the email address on the graphic.

I considered this book as a gift of Nelson to me on my birthday – 02/12/2011.