The Passing of the Sultan of Maguindanao Drew Thousands of Sympathizers Around the World

Sultan Kudarat, Philippines- The death of Sultan Salem on the 4th of January 2024, has caused a great loss in the culture and leadership of the Sultanate of Maguindanao, being the peace champion and unifier of various tribes and cultural sectors not only in Mindanao but the whole nation.  

The 25th Supreme Sultan of Maguindanao was loved and revered by so many Muslim and non- Muslim Filipinos and other nationalities. In his twelve years of reign as Sultan of Maguindanaw, being the successor of the late SULTAN ABDULAZIZ GUIWAN MASTURA KUDARAT IV, he was able to sustain the legacies of his father. Both Sultans had fought for the preservation of customary practices and traditions of their people. 

Politicians, government officials, military, policemen, and even the elites and oligarchs considered him as a father figure and a friend. He blended with everyone, rich or poor, influential, or marginalized, and remained apolitical with unsullied reputation. Sultan Salem was a man of humility and dignity.  In a world full of corruption and deceit, he never abused his power and authority to enrich himself or his people.

Noteworthy, as well, one of his greatest achievements before he died was initiating a peace and cooperation agreement with different international kingdoms in Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and among dignitaries, traditional and religious leaders from 20 countries, at the WCH Royal Summit, which was held last October 2023 in General Santos, Mindanao. 

As a royal tradition, two Taazi’ah/ Kanduli were held in honor and respect for the departed Sultan. The 3rd day Tazzi’ah was held last January 8 in Cotabato city, while the 7th day was massively executed last January 14 in Lebak, the hometown of the royal clan (Mastura) in Sultan Kudarat.

Throng of mourners and sympathizers flooded both events including big personalities, royals, relatives, dignitaries, politicians, those whom the sultan have enthroned, the highlanders, his family and cabinet members. Among the principalities who came and paid their respect were:

1. Municipality of Palembang
2. Municipality of Kalamansig
3. Municipality of Bagumbayan
4. Municipality of Sultan Kudarat
5. Municipality of Matanog
6. Municipality of Sultan Mastura
7. Municipality of Maitum
8. Municipality of Kiamba
9. Municipality of Maasin
10. Municipality of Kabacan
11. Municipality of Pikit
12. Municipality of Pagalungan
13. Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat
14. Municipality of Datu Blah Sinsuat
15. Municipality of Datu Abdullah Sangki
16. Cotabato City
17. General Santos City
18. Municipality of Polomolok
19. City of Marbel
20. Municipality of Isulan
21. Municipality of Parang
22. Municipality of SKP
23. Municipality of Lebak 
24. Municipality of Kalamansig
25. Municipality of Labangan 
26. Officers and men of the 6th infantry Division(KAMPILAN) PA AFP, Central Cotabato

Honored as Royal Man of Asia, Sultan Salem was survived by:

Children: Datu Camarod Mastura and Bai Ispandjaria Mastura Sangki 

Siblings: Datu Nasrullah “Datu Dido” Mastura, Crown Prince- Datu Muamar “Datu Mama” Mastura, the newly enthroned as 26th Sultan of Magindanaw - HM Zulkarnain “Datunain” Mastura, Bai Salima -“Baiping”Mastura, Bai Mompong- Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura and others (undisclosed names).

Grandchildren: Datu Zul Arvind Sharriege Ampatuan Mastura, Bai Shaigne Francine Ver-Quesza Ampatuan Mastura, Bai Allaine Ashley Ampatuan Mastura, Datu Reed Abdul Haffidh Mastura Sangki, Datu Izyan Hadee Mastura Sangki, Datu Fariz Al-Hakeem Mastura Sangki and Datu Zain Muiz Mastura Sangki.

Nephews and Nieces: (children of Datu Muamar) Datu Datu Bhang Mastura, Datu Benzarali Mastura, Jusol Asiquin Mastura, Hajar Mastura (sons of Baitolon Mastura) Datu Kamar, Datu Karodz, Datu Suharto.

Other relatives: Datu Faizal G. Karon, Raja Buayan Watamama Silongan, Datu Pendatun Mastura, Bai Putri Febraida Mastura Matalam, Raja Bai Jasma Mastura Karon, Bailaga Harjida Mastura Karon - nephews from Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura,  Lebak, Kalamansig, Palambang, Maitum and all the MASTURAS CLAN.

WCH and Sultanate of Maguindanao Distribute Food Aid to Hundreds of Families in Sultan Kudarat

 

Lebak, Sultan Kudarat- Amidst the vibrant landscapes of Lebak, in the province of Sultan Kudarat, another wondrous event unfolded with the help of We Care for Humanity and the Sultanate of Maguindanao. The GLOBAL SANTA MINDANAO FOOD DISTRIBUTION, 2023, an annual humanitarian endeavor, enfolded more than a hundred families in its warm embrace. The auspicious event was graced by the presence of His Majesty Sultan Salem Mastura Kudarat V, the 25th Supreme Sultan of Magindanaw, the Royal Ladies and Datus of the Sultanate. 

This initiative, held under the patronage of HRH Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, founder of WCH and the Head of the Royal House of Luzon Tagalog and the Royal Maharlika, reflects the unwavering commitment of the Sultanate to the well-being of its people in Mindanao, and of WCH to alleviate hunger.

The families that were present at the charity event were overjoyed to receive food and necessities that they otherwise might have gone without. It was heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the children as they received their gifts from the "Santa Claus" of humanity. 

"The event was not just about giving food, but also about spreading love and kindness in the community."- said the late Sultan of Maguindanao.

WCH and Royal Maharlika Launches the WCH Royal Summit, Philippines in Collaboration with the Sultanate of Maguindanao

The three big institutions namely We Care for Humanity, the Royal Maharlika and the Sultanate of Magindanaw (Maguindanao) Mandanaue Darussalam are gearing up for the upcoming WCH Royal Summit, Philippines which will be held on October 7 and 8, 2023 at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos, Philippines.

According to the Supreme Sultan of Maguindanao, His Majesty Abdulaziz Salem Mastura Kudarat V, “This is the first time that this caliber of event will happen in Mindanao which will benefit the Sultanate and the people in Mindanao especially in promoting peace among nations and indigenous people. We are in support of the mission of our Queen of Maharlika and Princess of CALABARZON, our very own HRH Mariam Leonora Torres Mastura, the founder and chairman of the summit”.

The WCH Royal Summit dubbed as the biggest gathering of dignitaries and traditional leaders is a conglomeration of flagship events by We Care For Humanity and the Royal Maharlika since 2013. The summits are held in different nations and encompasses the advocacies of both organizations to create a larger impact to humanity.

“We are very proud of what has become of all our events combined. We created a greater synergy among our supporters, followers, and beneficiaries by interrelating our programs and celebrating them in different countries.”, the Princess said. She added, “The success of our summit in Dubai last 18th of June just proved that the WCH Royal Summit has become an institution for excellence and manifestation of global partnerships and humanitarian interventions”.

The WCH Royal Summit, Philippines is expected to welcome world leaders, Kings and Queens from Africa, Asia and even Europe and many notable guests from more than 30 countries. The summit will feature the following events:

WCH Founder and Queen of Maharlika, Mariam Amor Torres Mastura Crowned as Bai Mompong sa Magindanaw

We Care for Humanity Founder, Maria Amor Torres earns another traditional title from the Sultanate of Maguindanao (Magindanaw) Mandaue, Darussalam, a traditional Kingdom since year 1521 and has sovereignty over the whole Mindanao.

The name BAI MOMPONG SA MAGINDANAW, a traditional title meaning Princess of Unity was bestowed to Mariam during the royal adoption ceremony held last 16th of July 2023 at the Greenleaf Hotel which also marked the beginning of partnership of We Care for Humanity and the Sultanate of Maguindanao through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing. 

His Royal Highness Datu Muamar Mastura, the Crown Prince of the Sultanate explained that this title is befitting Mariam, the Princess of CALABARZON because of her initiatives to unite not only the different traditional kingdoms but also the indigenous people around the globe.

The Queen of Maharlika was also appointed as the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate; hence, she will be handling all the foreign affairs of the Kingdom from hereon.

The new Bai Mompong expressed her heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty Abdulaziz Salem Mastura Kudarat V, the 25th Legitimate Supreme Sultan of Maguindanao and to all his immediate family including the three Princesses of Maguindanao.