Religion not root cause of Mindanao strife

Nation-state is a relatively new concept in the Middle East. This geographic demarcation is an invention of the region’s British and French occupiers. But it is a concept that Muslims around the world do not believe. As Bernard Lewis says, “Muslims tend to see not a nation subdivided into religious groups but a religion subdivided into nations.”

That Muslims feel affinity and solidarity with fellow Muslims around the world is an understatement. So when the Palestinians and Israelis went shooting at each other, again, this time in Gaza, the rest of the Muslim world felt duty-bound to show camaraderie. One such display happened in Marawi City last July 17. A local newspaper described it as “Israel’s invasion in Gaza.” Invasion or not, both Hamas and Israeli leaders are complicit in this decades-old religious conflict. Both are guilty of perpetuating this senseless war.

But as religious wars go, it is very hard to think rationally when faith is involved. Muslims around the world will always see this conflict as Israel’s fault. To make matters worse, Muslim leaders prop up Israel as a common enemy of Islam. In fact, the protesters in Marawi held up an Israeli flag with a word that read “Dajal,” before deciding to step on it and light it up.

Dajal or Masih ad-Dajjal refers to, among other things, an evil figure, a living devil. Call me pessimistic, but if you start calling your enemy one who is pure immortal evil, talk of peace becomes impossible. This strategy will not serve the Islamic cause well in the long run.

I noticed that it is becoming a habit to blame Israel whenever the subject of human rights is discussed. What about the injustices and oppression inflicted by the leaders of Islamic nations on their own citizens? In the same vein, Muslim Filipinos for decades after the Jabidah massacre had to endure being told by their so-called leaders that the problem in the Bangsamoro was all about religion.

In 1996, while doing a research paper as a student for a 3-unit course under the Notre Dame University Peace Program, we conclusively traced the Mindanao conflict to its root cause: land. I still believe a lot of scholars would agree with this assessment.

Before the arrival of Islam in the Philippines, indigenous Filipinos from north to south were brothers and sisters. Historically, “Christian” Filipinos and “Muslim” Filipinos were one people. The Christian-Muslim conflict is an importation—from Europe and the Middle East—until now peddled by politicians and religious leaders on both sides. Nevertheless, the recent creation of the Bangsamoro, though long overdue, is still welcome.

In Gaza, religion and land are still inseparable issues. For example, Israel was created as a state on theological grounds. Like the Muslims, Jews believe that Israel is their Promised Land ordained by Yahweh. This is not the case with the Bangsamoro.

So while we must condemn the violence in Gaza, we must do so not for religious reasons. It is a religious falsity that religion promotes peace; in fact it has been the cause of many wars. Bangsamoro leaders may well heed this fact as they walk the path of progress

and peace.

—ALLAN ESPINOSA, [email protected]