Abstract
Sulu is known as the bastion of Islam in the Philippines: the heartland. Despite being Muslims, the present inhabitants of Sulu are considered to be one of the poorest people with high illiteracy rate. The Tausug are facing social issues ranging from financial and spiritual troubles that are more detrimental than terrorism itself. On the other hand, Islam is being discarded by the majority rendering them unable to mend their lives.
Islam was brought to Sulu in 1250 by Arab missionaries. After two hundred years, Sulu was fully Islamized and the Sulu Sultanate was formed. The Sultanate represented the Golden Era of the Tausug where prosperity was widespread and more importantly, Islam was well-executed in the society. Description about vintage Sulu were mostly good. But it was the arrival of colonialism that disrupted Islam’s grip on Sulu. Secular education became widespread and the leadership of the golden days was replaced. Islam had become a memory of a distant past.