To What Extent Did Islam Revolutionalize The Recipient Communities?

To what extent did Islam revolutionalize the recipient communities?

 

Answer:

The Islamization of the Southern Philippines brought a major development in the dynamic interaction between inhabitants and communities especially in matters of religion, trade and commerce, culture, and politics.  

Explanation:

To understand the penetration of Islam in Mindanao and its influences to the people, it would be better to trace back its history. It is an undeniable fact that most Muslims in the Philippines live on the island of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago and Palawan, an area known as Bangsamoro or the Moro region (which is now BARMM).

In varying degrees, it is assumed that Islam brought the following effects and has revolutionized the people of Mindanao. The following assumptions constitutes to the historical legacy of Islam to the country.  

First of all, Islam introduced a new theological and religious view of life which prevented the total Christianization of the archipelago. Even though Islam came to the Philippines before the advent of Christianity, this somehow affected the intrusion of Spanish colonialism in the 16th century and the downright plan of Christianization of the archipelago. Today, the country has about 5.1 million Muslims, composing 6% of the total population—which is represented today by Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao, Cotabato and Lanao region.

Second, Islam prompted a healthy commercial interaction of Muslim communities on its neighbors. The economic activities had become so encouraging that foreign trade between the southern island and especially in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, was also stimulated.

Third, Islam made Mindanao a culturally-diverse island --- where people of different languages, ethnic backgrounds and races meet. As the Moro and Lumad alliance provided an effective resistance to Spanish rule, Mindanao became a melting pot of different cultures-- in food, clothing, literature, music, folklore, arts, etc. which is uniquely found only in the region.  

Lastly, Islam gave way to a social and political order which answers the Muslims aspiration for self-determination and self-identity. Historically, Islam had its own political system represented by a Sultan (datu). The Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054), also known as Bangsamoro Basic Law and often referred to by the acronym "BOL" and "BBL" is a Philippine law providing for the establishment of an autonomous political entity known as the Bangsamoro, (officially the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM). The main goal is to establish a political entity, and provide for its basic structure of government in recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people.