Sheik Khalifa Nando, Bangsamoro’s first ‘Wali,’ dies at 82

Khalifa Nando (Photo from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines — The first “Wali” or spiritual custodian and guardian of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and one of the founders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) died on Sunday, Bangsamoro officials announced.

Sheik Khalifa Nando, who served as Bangsamoro’s spiritual guardian since he was appointed to the post by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament four years ago, died in a hospital in Davao City, his family said. He was 82.

“It is with a deep sense of loss that we express our condolences and sympathy to the family of Sheik Khalifa Nando, the Wali of the Bangsamoro, on his return to the mercy of Allah today,” said lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM spokesperson and interior and local government minister.

Sinarimbo did not state the cause of the religious leader’s death.

Nando was appointed BARMM’s spiritual leader when the BTA Parliament held its first interim meeting on March 29, 2019.

Nando, 82, was last seen in public during the opening program of the BARMM fourth foundation anniversary last month, standing side by side with Bangsamoro acting Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.

“The Wali is the symbolic head of the Bangsamoro government and his demise is a loss not only to his family but also to the entire Bangsamoro,” Sinarimbo added.

As the religious guardian, Nando opened the inaugural session of the second interim parliament on Sept. 15 last year, which signaled the start of the BTA’s extended transition period.

Source of wisdom

More known among his followers as Sheik Khalifa, Nando, studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, along with MILF founding chair Salamat Hashim. He was considered one of the pioneers in the establishment of the former Moro rebel group who inked a peace deal with the government in 2014.

As the MILF’s cofounder, Nando served the organization under various capacities; including, among others, as chair of the MILF central committee on education, chair of Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Assembly) and as head of the MILF Sharia Supreme Court.

Sinarimbo said Sheik Khalifa led some of the “epic” efforts in strengthening the Bangsamoro resistance movement and was a “constant source of wisdom and advice” in the transition to peace and governance of the MILF.

“He was very active even during these past few months in carrying out his role as symbolic head of the Bangsamoro government. He was always visiting Bangsamoro communities on the islands and even Muslim communities in Luzon,” Sinarimbo said.

Major pillar

Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., also the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, said he was saddened by the Wali’s passing.

“Wali Nando was considered a major pillar of the Bangsamoro peace process,” Galvez said in a statement.

“[He] will be best remembered for his work as a religious leader and peacebuilder. As the BARMM’s Wali, he was instrumental in promoting the culture of peace, inter-religious dialogue, and the social healing and reconciliation among the Bangsamoro people,” Galvez said. “His legacy of peace will continue beyond his passing.”

The Wali was laid to his final resting place at nightfall on Feb. 5 in Barangay Kayaga, Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur, with close to 1,500 people, mostly relatives, and friends, in attendance.