The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is the forerunner of the Islamic movement in the Bangsamoro homeland in Mindanao and the neighbouring islands. It was organized in 1977 when Ustadz Hashim Salamat, backed up by ethnic Maguindanaos and other Muslim tribal leaders from Mindanao, split from the Moro National Liberation Front, advocating a more pacifying approach toward the government. In January 1987, the MNLF signed a peace agreement relinquishing its goal of independence for the Bangsamoro homeland and accepting the government's offer of autonomy. The MILF refused to accept such accord and hence initiated and continue its struggle against the government to have a separate State.

Generally, Bangsamoro are Muslims who should be governed by the Shariah which is the totality of the commandments of Allah.  Their struggle to have society free from the colonialist is a “continuing cycle.” They believe that the MILF as an Islamic movement is struggling for the establishment of their separate Islamic State.

Recently, on February 25, 2008, the MILF, quoted in Luwaran.com, categorically denied having anything to do with text that says that Al Haj Murad would soon declare Mindanao as an Islamic State and he becomes its President with the backing of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Murad, speaking through Muhammad Ameen, chairperson of the MILF Secretariat, branded the text a plain and simple black propaganda, out to drive a wedge between the Christians and the Muslims in Mindanao.

The exact text  I received also from a friend runs thus: “March 14, 2008 Al Haj Murad Ebrahim declare by the United Nations and Organization of Islamic Conference as a Bangsamoro President. All MILF has to provide military uniform 4 d implementation of Islamic State under the leadership of MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad.”

Ameen said the  issue of religion is internal to the Muslims in Mindanao and the MILF has been never brought up this issue in the decade-old peace talks with the government.

“We follow the principle of consultation and collectivism in decision making particularly in the most difficult ones,” he stressed, recalling that when the late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim was asked about the system of government once the MILF assumes power in Mindanao, said, ‘This depends on what the people decide and want for themselves.”

Salamat said if the Bangsamoro people want communist government, “so be it’”, which illustrates how the late leader values the voice of the people. This sweeping statement has been observed in the western democratic society that sovereignty is vested upon the people and not in Allah.  Obviously, people have different perceptions and opinions on how to establish the system of government according to their knowledge, experiences and other factors. To the Muslims in particular, Islamic State should be established according to Shariah.

In Islam, sovereignty belongs to Allah. He has unlimited powers. All kingdoms, empires, and kings do not possess such authority. Allah is the Creator, the Master, the Sustainer of all that exists. Everything operates according to His plan.

Allah has revealed, through His prophets, the Right Path for the guidance of mankind. All prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) have preached the same message - that of acceptance of Allah’s sovereignty. They invited men and women to a life committed to virtue, purity, justice and peace, and to act according to the guidance He has revealed.

The MILF as an Islamic movement is expected to act according to the will of Allah, that misunderstanding, conflict and the passing of the system of government for the Muslims must be referred in Allah through His devine words, the Qur’an and His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon hom) through his Sunnah (tradition). In Surah Al-Nisah of the Qur’an, Allah says: “Oh you believe obey Allah, obey the apostle and those charged with authority among you and If you differ anything, refer it to Allah and His Prophet if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best for you for final determination.”

Thus, the MILF reliance to the decision of the people about its system of government once it assumes political power in Mindanao vehemently contradicts  the sovereign authority of Allah.