Title: “Distorted Images” by Rohadzma N.

Najeb

To paint a picture of the peacemaking in BARMM— imagine peeking into a hole of a

kaleidoscope with shuffling marbles, and by each moment— the pattern changes. It morphs into
its unique colors, some wasted and others resilient in the mechanism. To my great consciousness,
this image leaves an impression in my brain— it is none too rewarding nor burdening that this
background has reminded myself of the push and pull factors in our Bangsa’s face of change.
Moral governance upholds this unending remodel of the Bangsa that spiked for more than a
decade. As an Islamic organization, I bear witness to the fact that the people of BARMM often
confuse the identification between the Islamic teachings and the State. Due to this, authorized
people as well as civilians encounter conflicts brought by their clashing beliefs. But to take
things at hand, an effective rationale associates these two together— an approach that, in my
point of view, will help enhance the regulations and the transformation of BARMM itself. This is
where moral governance comes to the picture.
Being part of the under-represented groups in Mindanao embodies me to be more resilient, and
wary of the events circulating around my community especially when it comes to feats that
mitigate justice for the people. While my observations are not at its apogee, I am keen of what to
engage with, and how to mitigate the long-fought battle of our kind— the Moros. In all honesty,
I see the becoming of BARMM as a historic window of opportunity. Many might undermine my
background as subtle to changes, but in my belief, each has their value in moral governance. To
cure something— we must start to its atomic entities. An individual’s virtue upholds a great
factor in moral governance. By pledging oath to both the constitution as well to Allah (SWT),
the Bangsa can be able to forge a framework that effectively harbors good deeds and justice to
the whole community. A person’s Iman reflects their honesty in their work. Henceforward, the
morale they gain can discourage communal crimes such as nepotism, corruption, violence, and
so on. That’s one image of the kaleidoscope.
Now, shaffle the marbles again and peek into the hole; the second picture goes like this— an
unexperienced college student reading articles on social media and the website to widen her
perspective on peace culture. I may not be a law student, far from it. I study engineering, but it
doesn’t diminish my genuine concern of the chronic levels of the Bangsa. This contemporary
method allows me to educate myself in resolving conflicts which, in return, welcomes my mind
to be sharper and my heart to be more empathetic of our community. I don’t go clear-cut all the
time, but I can control who to believe, how to act, and when to use my voice. It is a matter of
speaking out and silencing, and the former counts as a significant stride in my role as a student—
a youth. Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai once said, “When the whole world is silent, even
one voice becomes powerful”. Each sound that comes from my mouth is a deed, a pledge, a
memoir that reflects my commitment to the welfare of my people. That makes it two pictures
already.
Let’s move on to the last picture: unlike the previous ones, this is blurry, shady even, and takes
more than one eye to observe. It’s a chaotic mess of a painting, one that artists call abstract. You
drop the kaleidoscope and wonder: “what does this picture mean”, “why is it so messy”, or “why
am I even here in the first place”. The answer to this, my Bangsa, is something that even I cannot
answer. I am the writer of this piece, the owner of this instrument, but even I had lost my path
and paused to listen. Now, I instruct you to close your eyes, and inhale deeply. Then, associate
your mind with the images you have seen, of the things the colors of the kaleidoscope represent.
Here, let me give you a hand. The third picture goes like this— armed soldiers, fire, energy, a
stranded beggar, a homeless kid, a widowed mother, a factionalism of groups, a pig seated on the
throne, cooptation, tragedy, conflict, and conflict, and more conflict. Finally, you open your
eyes, and you are misguided. If I ask you of the image you saw, it changes faster than the second
arrow of the clock does. This is none other than the facets of our society. Now, both you and I go
back to the beginning and wonder if this heroism I’ve got is a mere façade, that is it just a
dreamy imagery of a naïve student such as me who hungers for peace. You and I wonder if this
atomic role we play can even hold a candle to what’s actually happening. Can a student’s
perseverance cause any change? Can a student’s voice be given attention? I live in a messy
world. I am a witness of one generation, and revolutions are mostly taboo in my city. However,
this is the thing that I always remind myself to not overthink of. That as for as long as I live, I am
eager to contribute to the country’s peace. Having thought of this, I grab the kaleidoscope again,
and realize I was wrong the entire time. The chaos of colors I’ve seen before almost looks
different now. In fact, it doesn’t call for destruction— it reigns diversification.

Since you are already curious, let me correct the third picture. It actually goes like this: a home
with a roof and one with none; collaboration of people who wore veils and not; a calloused and a
smooth skin that are shaking hands; a restorative justice; a balance; a democratic space; and
children learning. The kaleidoscope wasn’t wrong per say, but the onlookers. The marbles, I
realized, are jumbled in a harmonious sense rather than chaotic. If I continued to believe that
there is no hope, it ceases to remain that way. The appearance has tricked the both of us at first,
but as they say: “A picture is worth a thousand stories”. As the beholder, my decision is to look
at the brighter colors. When the BARMM has announced its resolutions and intentions, I’ve seen
a glimmer of hope. It may be one marble, or two, or several. But nevertheless, it blinks like a
gold inside a cave, and we are all given their own tasks to recover these resources and use them
at their best expense.
As I was writing this essay, I have come to the senses that we cannot force peace on anyone, but
we can ease them to understand what it is to have hope. The Bangsa’s missions for the Muslims
in Mindanao are exhilarating, fruitful and full of opportunities. I would say that moral
governance is one of the things that shine the most among the marbles inside the kaleidoscope. It
is our people’s treasure— one that can effectively repair, anchor, and polish everyone’s social
welfare. Those who have lost their hope bear hardships in their own demise. But I, and hopefully
you too, see the vitality of our actions and speeches. And so today, I keep seeing different visions
on the kaleidoscope— and each moment represents a different kind of hope.