Zamboanga's poor families get rice, groceries from Sultan Pulalun

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Sulu Sultan Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Muhammad Pulalun speaks to garbage diggers and scavengers in Lumbangan village in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. (Photo by Samuel Tanjil)

The influential Sultan of Sulu, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Muhammad Pulalun, distributed rice and grocery packs to more than 300 mostly poor Christian and Muslim families in Zamboanga City.

Pulalun visited the village of Lumbangan just recently and handed rice and groceries to some 100 families.

Most of those who received the packs were garbage diggers and scavengers."We are grateful to Sultan Pulalun, who, despite being a Muslim, came here in this dirty place to distribute gifts to Christians. May God bless him more so he can help more poor people like us," an old woman, whom everybody called Lola, said.

It was the first time that the Sultan visited the garbage dump and spoke to the poor. He promised them more aid. "These people are poor. look at them, children and women and old men are digging for scraps when they should be together and resting in their house because of the holiday season."

"We will find some ways to help them, especially these poor children. The Sultanate of Sulu Foundation will find a way to bring more aid to this place and other poor Muslim areas in Sulu," Sultan Pulalun said.

One woman, Jacqueline, said her eleven-year old son is suffering from renal disease and appealed to the Sultan for help. "I hope he can help us. We need medicines for my boy," she said, sobbing in between sentences.

From Lumbangan, the Sultan proceeded to Camino Nuevo where he also distributed rice and groceries to about 90 head of families, who were victims of recent fires in Zamboanga.

The Sultan together with village leader Antonio Deles and council member Inday Bunal knocked on doors and handed rice and food bags to poor Christian and Muslim families. "We are lucky that Sultan Pulalun came over and distributed rice and groceries to these poor people," Deles said.

Sultan Pulalun also distributed rice and canned goods to more than 100 poor families in Canelar and met with Rolly Samson, the village chieftain.

"We can't find words to express our gratitude to the good Sultan Pulalun. We pray that Allah give him more blessings so he can continue helping the less fortunate," Samson said.

The Sultan said he will continue helping not only poor Muslims, but needy Christians and indigenous people also.

"As long as I live, I will continue this long time tradition that my great, great grandfather, Sultan Mohammad Pulalun, had started. The same tradition continues and now, I also tell my son, Sharif Almunir, to continue this humble legacy," he said.

The 15-year old Sharif Almunir is the heir to the Pulalun throne.(Samuel Tanjil)

Reference: Samuel Tanjil, spokesman for Sultan Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Muhammad Pulalun, Sultanate of Sulu

Mobile: +63921 6641644

E-mail: sultanpulalun@gmail.com

URL: sultanateofsulu.org / sultanofsulu.com

Sulu Sultan Congratulates New Malaysian King

SULTANATE OF SULU

Jolo, Philippines

The influential Sultan of Sulu Archipelago, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Muhammad Pulalun, astanah darus Sharif Parang Sulu, and his family, including the members of the Romah Bischara extend their warmest congratulation to the newly crowned King of Malaysia, his Highness Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Sultan Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun reiterates his continued support to efforts of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia to work for peace and stability of the region for progress and prosperity for all people of our great nations.

On behalf of my people, I wish the newly crowned King of Malaysia peace, hapiness and good health.

For Reference: Sammy Tanjil, Spokesman for the Sultanate of Sulu

Contact Number: +63 62 9841974

Mobile: +63920 3503428

Sulu Sultan Calls On Muslims To Support 12th ASEAN Summit

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The influential Sultan of Sulu, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun, on Thursday called on Filipino Muslims to support the Philippine hosting of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu province.

The four-day summit, beginning Dec. 10, will bring together the Economic Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to the central Filipino island where they are to sign the Blueprint on the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, five years ahead of the original target of 2020.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers will also finalize seven documents for signing during the Summit.

The blueprint -- which will focus on how ASEAN could benefit from the elimination of tariff for the ASEAN-6 by 2010 and for the new ASEAN members by 2015 -- is one of the most important documents to be signed by the leaders when they meet in Cebu.

Sultan Pulalun said the holding of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu only proves the Philippines continues to enjoy the support of the international business community and other nations and is a safe place for every body to go.

"We hope this historic event would be most remembered by many Filipinos that the Philippines is still strong and that our leaders continue to work for the country and everybody's benefit."

"I call on all Muslims in the Philippines and around the world to continue supporting the government effort for this ASEAN Summit to be successful and bring peace to all nations of the world, particularly in Asia," Sultan Pulalun, a peace advocate and active in humanitarian works, said.

The 50-year old Sultan said the Summit would further strengthen the relationship and foster unity among ASEAN member countries.

Over the years, ASEAN has seen the growth of regional networks of non-governmental organizations. One of the most active of these groups is the ASEAN Peoples’ Assembly, which is an important partner of ASEAN in moving forward its integration initiatives.

At the 12th ASEAN Summit, the Philippines will support the holding of the 5th ASEAN People’s Assembly, which coincides with the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.

President Arroyo has chosen the theme for the 12th ASEAN Summit, entitled “One Caring and Sharing Community.” The theme will reflect the initiatives to be taken by the Philippines in ASEAN community building and common people’s participation.

Last year, Malaysia hosted the 11th ASEAN Summit and discussed seven main issues -- the spread of bird flu, southern Thailand conflict, democracy in Myanmar, crude oil prices fluctuation and poverty, investment and trade and an ASEAN charter.

This year, the Summit will be hosted by the Cebu Metropolitan Area, composed of Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.(Sammy Tanjil)

For Reference: Sammy Tanjil, Spokesman for the Sultanate of Sulu

Contact Number: +63 62 9841974

Mobile: +63920 3503428