Key Terms For Understanding the Root of Conflicts in Muslim Mindanao

These are the terms that are pertinent for understanding the Conflict in Muslim Mindanao

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) - a terrorist group, or criminal organisation founded by Abdurajak Janjalani, which largely operates in the     province of Basilan where it has its strongholds.

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) - a breakaway faction of the MILF  opposing the peace process between the MILF and the Philippine government for it  as it seeks full independence for Muslim Mindanao rather than autonomy

Din wa Dawla - No separation of religion and state, Islam must be the holistic system of life.

Hakimiyya -  ultimate aim where Shari’ah (Islamic law) is supreme and should replace Westernized law.

Informal Land Markets - informal land markets enable land to be transferred, mortgaged, traded or sold without the monitoring or regulation of the government’s land agencies.

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)  or Ansar Khalifah Sarangani - is a radical Islamist terrorist group operating in Southeast Asia lead by Basit Usman in the Philippines.

Lumad -  a Cebuano-Visayan   term meaning native or indigenous. Lumadas are neither Muslims nor  Christians.
Moro - a political identity distinct to the Islamised people of Mindanao and Sulu

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) - secularist-nationalist-modernist, founded by Prof. Nur  Misuari. It aspires for the integration into the Philippine political and economic mainstream, with some access and power-sharing. Latter it split into four groups, the Council of 15 (Anti -Misuari), The Misuary Group (Break Away Group), The Islamic Command Council (ICC)

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) - founded by Ustadz Salamat Hashim. It aims to be separated from the Philippine System and demands for a Independent Islamic State

Muslim - refers to a universal religious identity

Pagsanda - an informal credit system used by the Tausug, the largest ethnic group in Sulu, involves  the offering of collateral to a traditional 18 money lender in exchange for a loan which are not documented and regulated by the state

Rido - a Maranao term commonly used in Mindanao to refer to clan feuds. 

Shadow Economies -  illicit drug economy, illicit weapons, informal land markets, cross-border trade,   informal credit provision, and kidnapping for ransom

The Sulu Sultanate - holds jurisdiction over the areas of Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Palawan, Basilan and Zamboanga

Ummah - The Ummah refers to the community of believers who are bound solely by spiritual ties regardless of sex, status, color or residence.



These may be the key term to understanding the root conflict in Muslim Mindanao.