Bangsamoro youth in different parts of Southern Mindanao attended the program “The Bangsamoro and Beyond: Revivifying the Nation’s Hopes,” at Finster Auditorium, Sunday afternoon. Organized by SALAM: The Ateneo Muslim Society, the program aimed to see the trajectory of the Bangsamoro people after the failure of the Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Prof. Raby Angkal, from Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, gave a lecture on the Bangsamoro history, foundation of the Bangsamoro’s assertion for their right to self-determination, and the developments in the peace process. He also discussed the possible impact of the failure to enact BBL.

“Layunin ng BBL na ang mga bata makapag-aral, maka-graduate at magkaroon ng hanap-buhay para sila ang makapamuhay ng tahimik. But because the 16th Congress failed to pass the BBL, hindi napo ‘yan mangyayari. Ang mangyayari ngayon ay mare-retain ang status quo – killings, evacuation at war,” Angkal said.

Although frustrated because of the death of BBL, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) First Vice Chairman of Central Committee Ghazali Jaafar was still full of hopes.

“Bagamat ganito ang nagyari, ang MILF ay ipagpapatuloy  ang paghahanap ng mapayapang solusyon para ma-resolve ang Bangsamoro issue,” he said.

Qhardawie Bin Salik, a political science student, encouraged his co-youth to take part in the promotion of peace, as bearers of hope in the future of the Bangsamoro nation.

“Islam is peace, kaya dapat natin itong ipalaganap. At huwag natin itong ikahiya.  Maging proud tayo na Muslim tayo,” Salik said.