By any name, ‘IQ’ has traveled long road to peace for 40 years

Passion for the cause

Iqbal’s passion for the Moro cause is displayed in his books, “Bangsamoro: A Nation Under Endless Tyranny,” which traces the history and basis of the Moro struggle for self-determination, and “The Long Road to Peace,” which chronicles the developments in the Mindanao peace process.

In coming up with the first book, Mastura characterized Iqbal as an “eyewitness historian who is an active participant to the march of events…”

Sociologist Randy David has also hailed Iqbal for having “passionately argued” through his book the Moro people’s case for “developing its own identity” and “expressing its distinctness through its own institutions.”

Man enough

In 2009, after the yearlong war that ensued over the botched memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain during the Arroyo administration, Iqbal, as the MILF information chief, presided over the difficult task of the group’s owning up to ceasefire violations.

“We are man enough to acknowledge that we started the fighting in Lanao del Norte. We have violated the ceasefire especially in Lanao del Norte,” Iqbal declared.

While remaining steadfast with the Moro cause, the soft-spoken warrior, having seen and experienced firsthand decades of war, underscores the importance of achieving peace the soonest.

“History has shown that war cannot resolve this conflict. Neither can we defeat the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Iqbal said.

Asked what kind of relations with the rest of the country he would want the Bangsamoro to have, Iqbal said: “We would never think of getting a divorce [from the Philippine state]. Just live and let live.”

The 2011 edition of “The Long Road to Peace” contains this dedication: In memory of my departed wife, Hja Rasmia Baganian-Abas.

In the bibliography of the book “Bangsamoro: A Nation Under Endless Tyranny” is listed the master’s thesis “The Muslim Secession Movement in the Philippines.”

It is authored by Datucan M. Abas, the name that, so some reports say, pertains to Mohagher Iqbal.

Another alias?

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