Bangsamoro Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary strikes the gong, signifying the official commencement of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival 2024, in the Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City on December 16, 2024. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun highlighted on Monday the significant role of Shariff Kabunsuan in laying the foundation of the Bangsamoro homeland’s fight for self-determination.
Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab-Malay missionary, introduced Islam to the mainland Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the 16th century.
“Today, as we reflect on this history, we are reminded that the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination is deeply rooted in the values of faith, justice, and community that Shariff Kabunsuan brought to our forebears,” Pendatun said during the official launch of the Shariff Kabunsuan (SK) Festival 2024 on Dec. 16.
Pendatun further emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the Bangsamoro journey is “far from over,” stressing that the collective commitment to overcoming challenges in achieving peace, development, and self-governance continues.
Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao, represented by Atty. Nes Hashim Lidasan, also underscored the importance of the annual festival, emphasizing that the celebration not only commemorates the introduction of the Islamic faith here but also the hope and unity that rest upon the brotherhood and sisterhood among the Bangsamoro citizens.
Meanwhile, Minister Abuamri Taddik of the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) called on the Bangsamoro people to cherish the enduring peace their ancestors fought for and to support the regional government’s initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of its constituents.
SK Festival Activities
The opening day of the festival featured a three-day Agri-Trade Fair inside the BARMM Compound, organized through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), MTIT, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA).
The fair showcases products from 20 cooperatives, including local Muslim delicacies, fresh produce, coffee, and traditional cultural attire. The Guinakit Fluvial Parade, another festival highlight, is scheduled for Dec. 18. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
