International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue X, October 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
The Lone Muslim Filipino in the 100 Great Muslim Leaders of 20th Century
Raihan A. Yusoph
History Department, Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines
Abstract: This paper provides significant information about the life of Ahmad Domocao Alonto. He is the lone Moro awarded in the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in 1988. The researcher pointed out his genealogical and family background, his marriages, and his educational attainments. The researcher also emphasized his major contributions, and legacies as a Muslim political leader in the Philippines. These includes his contribution to the Islamic development in the Philippines, and his integration advocacy such as the creation of the Commission on National Integration (CNI), Mindanao State University (MSU), Mindanao Development Authority (MDA), and his efforts to amend the Civil Service of 1959. This study concluded that Ahmad Domocao Alonto played an important role in developing the conditions of the Muslims in the Philippines. He has always been regarded as a legend of his time by the Bangsamoro people in the Southern Philippines. The data used in this paper was gained from books, journals, newspapers, and first-hand sources such as the speeches of Ahmad Domocao Alonto, Sr. And to balance the gathered data, the researcher spoke with the most important persons in his life like his contemporaries, friends, and family.
Keywords: Bangsamoro, Mranaw, Right to Self-determination, Sultan
I. INTRODUCTION
The modern world is apparent on how the youths of this generation is adapting to the evolution of human society and globalization. Culture, customs, traditions, and even history are swiftly forgotten. The researcher believed that remembering the history and the legacies of certain individuals who have meaningfully contributed to the society are noble inspirations to the coming generations. With this, the most remarkable progress that happened to the Bangsamoro people in the Southern Philippines was through the leadership of one of the great Muslim leaders in the 20th century (Alam, 2005). Certainly, like the rest of the admired Muslim leaders in the world, his greatness lies in his sincere, selfless dedication to the cause of Islam and Bangsamoro people, in his determined efforts to resolve the problems faced by the Bangsamoro people and Lumads in Mindanao, in his contribution to the advancement of Islamic learning, and his lasting impact on Muslim societies. Undeniably, Senator Domie played a significant role in shaping the development of the political and intellectual history of Mindanao.