BRIEF HISTORY:
Meranao Ako International Solidarity, Inc. (MAIS) was originally conceived as Maranao International Solidarity Movement by Dean Masiding Noor Yahya, an independent Maranao thinker, journalist, and educator in the year 2013 before it was formally organized on July 7, 2018, five years after. It was changed to MAIS during its organizational meeting by the founders.
Meranao Ako International Solidarity, Inc. (MAIS) was originally conceived as Maranao International Solidarity Movement by Dean Masiding Noor Yahya, an independent Maranao thinker, journalist, and educator in the year 2013 before it was formally organized on July 7, 2018, five years after. It was changed to MAIS during its organizational meeting by the founders.
The formal organizational meeting on July 7, 2018, was made possible under the leadership of Dr. Ali Bangcola Panda, an icon in the Maranao academe, with the guidance, support, and cooperation of eight other Maranao independent thinkers, namely, Judge Abdulhalim Saumay, Forester Salem Limpao, Datu Pento Pangcatan, Marawi Resort Hotel Manager Ibra G. Macapanton, CSO leader Pacasum O. Macacua, Educator Gamal R. Tampogao, Hj. Mohammadali R. Alonto, and Dean Masiding Noor Yahya.
The nine (9) composed the Interim Board of Directors who are the core group and organizers of the solidarity.
A BACKGROUNDER (The Meranao People):
The word “Maranao” is a phonetical corruption of “Meranao” which derives from the root word “ranao,” a Maranao term for “lake” in English. (For purpose of this paper, the word Maranao shall generally be used except in some instances.) The Maranao, therefore, is one who lives by the lake or traces his origin from the lake area, who owns or whose forebears own the lake and surrounding territory, speaks a language of his own, the Maranao Language (Basah Meranao), and has a culture of his own. He belongs to a nation with all the elements and requirements for a people to be called a separate and distinct nation (Bangsa).
The lake refers to the basin of fresh water situated in the Ranao plateau in Central Mindanao, particularly in the province of Lanao del Sur.
There is no official statistics on the number of Maranao population. What the government can only provide is the population of Lanao del Sur and that is around 1.5 million. More than a million dwell in Lanao del Norte. The rest are scattered in various parts of the country and abroad. Not a single city in the Philippines can be found without Maranao residents.
Although most estimates put the Maranao population to be between five and eight million, for purposes of this paper, we place the Maranao population to five million.
Most of them are either merchants or employees. Some are farmers; others fishermen. Many are successful in their chosen occupations. They have risen to hold political positions even in Metro Manila and acquired commercial buildings and business establishments.
THE NEED FOR A SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT:
With their strong number and their successes in their occupations, they are a potent force that cannot just be taken for granted. The Maranaos motivated and united can be a very strong partner in nation-building. They can greatly contribute to finding a solution to the decades-old peace and order problem, as well as in poverty eradication to make the Philippines a vibrant fast developing country.
But to achieve this goal, there is a need to motivate and unite the Maranao communities and strengthen their ranks. Hence, this concept proposal.
VISION:
The Maranao communities wherever they are shall be a united people restlessly working for God, country, and people, in good rapport and relationship with all of mankind and nature, continuously developing their Homeland, Ranao, and aspiring for a better world to live in.
MISSION:
To promote peace, unity, brotherhood and cooperativeness among the Maranaos and fortify their pride and sense of belonging to the Maranao People; to foster true understanding of Islam, the Maranao history and civilization, culture, customs and traditions and preserve and propagate the same in order to establish a peaceful, enlightened and prosperous Muslim community; and to strengthen their active participation in nation-building.
OBJECTIVES:
The Movement shall have the following specific purposes:
1. To unite the Maranaos, especially those who are living outside their homeland, to work together for the realization of a noble, peaceful and law-abiding prosperous Maranao Society;
2. To conduct extensive research and study on the Maranao history and civilization, culture, customs, and traditions, and exert all efforts and resources available for the promotion and preservation of the same;
3. To promote cleanliness, proper sanitation and healthcare as a primordial religious duty of every Meranao;
4. To utilize and/or develop educational, technical and media services, facilities and systems in pursuance of the goals and objectives of the Movement;
5. To coordinate and/or cooperate with other organizations within or without the Philippines working for lasting peace, harmony and sustainable development;
6. To undertake and/or cause to undertake relevant programs, projects and activities such as, but not limited to, studies and researches on Maranao history and culture, customs and traditions, studies in Islamic teachings and civilization, Shari'a (Islamic Laws), national and international laws and developments, institutions and other related fields, libraries, mass media, cultural projects, economic enterprises and other undertakings as may be necessary to carry out and implement the purposes of the Movement;
7. To undertake financial sourcing and/or mobilize all possible resources, human and material, national and international, public and private, to carry out the objectives of the Movement;
8. To purchase, own, hold, acquire, or otherwise accept such property, real or personal, as may be necessary convenient, or appropriate for any of the purposes herein expressed;
9. To perform all and everything necessary and proper for the attainment of these purposes, or the furtherance of any of the powers above set forth, either alone or in association with other corporations or individuals; and
10. To do every other act or acts, incidental or appurtenant to, or connected with the aforesaid powers, or any part or parts thereof, provided, the same be not in conflict with the laws under which the Movement is organized.
