His Majesty’s presence added a touch of royal grandeur to the ceremony, bridging the rich heritage of the Philippines with the academic excellence of India. The Sultan was joined by a powerful and impressive high-level delegation, including:
Bai Salima Mastura, Princess of the Sultanate of Maguindanao and President of the Royal Ladies of Maguindanao.
Bai Ali Sansaluna Karon, Bai sa Kudarangan sa Rajah Buayan and Member of Parliament for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
A Message of Heritage and Resilience In a stirring Keynote Address, His Majesty bridged the gap between ancient tradition and the modern era of Artificial Intelligence. Drawing upon the 500-year history of the Sultanate and the resilience of his ancestor, Sultan Kudarat, he urged the Class of 2025 not to view tradition as the opposite of progress.
"Your culture is not your baggage; it is your anchor," the Sultan proclaimed to the graduating class. "When you walk out of these doors today, you will compete with the brightest minds from New York to Tokyo. What will make you stand out... is your identity. Do not trade your culture for a paycheck. Use your tradition as the foundation upon which you build your modern success."
Strengthening Global Partnerships The Sultan paid tribute to the visionaries of JAIN University, offering his deepest gratitude to Mr. Roychand, Chairman of the JAIN Group, for being a "true partner" of We Care for Humanity.
"Mr. Roychand, your support bridges the gap between education and human kindness, and for that, the Sultanate is grateful," His Majesty stated.
He also extended heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Easwaran Iyer and Dr. Santosh Kumar Chaudhary on their recent Knighthoods, recognizing their close collaboration with his sister, Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, Founder of We Care for Humanity. He noted that their work represents a "testament to the power of global brotherhood."
A Call for "Leaders Who Care" Addressing the challenges of a fragile world, from climate crisis to inequality, the Supreme Sultan of Maguindanao challenged the graduates to redefine nobility.
"True power is not in the crown you wear, but in the service you provide," he said. "Be the leaders who innovate, yes. Be the leaders who make money, yes. But more importantly, be the leaders who care."
He concluded with an invitation for the new graduates to support the plight of indigenous peoples and the Sultanate, urging them to partner with organizations like We Care for Humanity to build schools, water systems, and "bridges of peace."
About the Sultanate of Maguindanao Established in the 15th century by Shariff Kabungsuwan, the Sultanate of Maguindanao is a historic sovereign entity in the Southern Philippines known for its resistance against colonization and its preservation of Islamic and indigenous heritage. Today, under the leadership of the 26th Supreme Sultan, it actively engages in global humanitarian efforts.
