Peace and Security Review, Vol.1 No. 2 - International Centre for ...

54 Peace and Security Review Vol.1, No.2, Second Quarter, 2008
supporters. This split was significant, as it set the stage for a lasting distrust
among the Moro leadership that still remains to this day.
The MNLF-MILF Intramurals
Despite the earlier factions, the influence of Islam was not entirely affected
by the rivalry and division, but instead eases its way within the movement.
In fact the subsequent cracked of disunity in the Moro rebellion was led by
the clergies, this time by Hashim Salamat. A Maguindanao-Maranao tribe, led
faction of the MNLF, accused Misuari for betrayal and nepotism due to his
preferential treatment of Tausug in MNLF key appointments. Among others,
Misuari’s lack of consultation in agreeing to the pressure of Libya and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference to accept an autonomy solution to
the Moro problem was highly resented. This faction was formally organized
in 1984, which called itself the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to emphasize
its being Islamic movement. 14 Offered a suitable base by the Jemaati Islamiyah
and taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan, Ustadz Hashim Salamat relocated his base from Saudi Arabia
to Pakistan. 15 Significant to the forming of the MILF was the manifest
strength of Islamist influence to the Moro rebellion. This cracked to the unity
of Moro stakeholders created an open competition for supremacy in the
Moro Muslim communities, among the traditional and political leaders, who
control the local politics with armed followers; the religious leaders mostly
leading the MILF, and the MNLF Nationalist identified with Misuari.
Third Wave of Islam: Radical Islam and the Afghanistan Network 16
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the oil boom in the Middle East in
the 70’s provided a catalyst for resurgent and the trans-nationalization of
Islamist movements in the Middle East to the rest of the Muslim world.
Firstly, in the case of Afghanistan, the participation of Saudi and Pakistan
aided influx of international Mujahideens from Middle East and Southeast
Asia to name a few, to drive the Soviet Union. Its significant implication is
the building of international networks that catalyses the trans-nationalization
of Afghan type Jihad movement that co-opted most ethno-Islamist liberation
movements. Secondly, the oil boom of the 70’s also attracted Muslim all over
14 Krisna Gaerlan and Mara Stankovitch (eds), “Rebels Warlords and Ulama: A Reader on Muslim
Separatism and the War in Southern Philippines,” (Quezon City: Institute of Popular Democracy,
1999) pp. 152-58.
15 Ustadz Hashim Salamat profile, ICPVTR, 2008.
16 Please refer to Appendix 1: MILF profile for detail.
Vol.1, No.2 2008 pp.49-76