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From the heart of Southern Mindanao, where the turquoise waters of the Sulu Sea meet the emerald shores, I express my deep sorrow over the disunity affecting our Muslim Ummah. In the Sulu archipelago, where our ancestors embraced Islam generations ago, we see the damaging impact of political ambition and the relentless quest for material gain – the seductive appeal of the dunya – that is tearing apart the essence of our collective faith. A mournful plea for unity echoes throughout the archipelago and resonates with the struggles of Muslims worldwide.
We, the people of Sulu, have experienced the destructive effects of disunity, observing how political ambition and an endless desire for worldly possessions – the dunya – have undermined the very pillars of our shared faith, leaving us vulnerable and divided. Allah reminds us in the Quran, “Hold fast, all together, to the Rope of Allah, and do not be divided among yourselves.” (Quran 3:103). Yet, are we truly holding onto that rope?
The political landscape of the Muslim world, including our own reality here in Mindanao, is often marred by division, by factions vying for power, prioritizing personal gain over the collective well-being of the Ummah. This pursuit of dunya, this obsession with wealth, status, and worldly influence, blinds us to the suffering of our brothers and sisters and prevents us from standing united against injustice.
The situation in Gaza and Palestine stands as a stark and agonizing testament to our disunity. The images of suffering that flood our screens, the cries of the oppressed that reach our ears – these are a direct consequence of our collective failure to uphold the principles of Islamic solidarity. We implore our political leaders to heed the teachings of the Quran and the wisdom of Imam Al-Ghazali. Let them prioritize the unity of the Ummah over personal ambition. Let them be guided by the principles of justice and compassion.
Only by overcoming our internal divisions, by shedding the shackles of dunya, and by embracing the true spirit of Islamic brotherhood can we hope to address the challenges facing the Muslim world and stand united in the face of injustice, offering hope and support to our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine, and wherever oppression prevails. This is our plea from the heart of Sulu, a plea for unity, justice, and the unwavering pursuit of Allah’s pleasure.
