Doc Ahmad Hajiri

By Ahmad Musahari asmusahari@gmail.com Following my post on “The hidden beauty of Sulu”, a number of friends have appreciated the great scenes Sulu has. (That was my goal, from the beginning!) And I am happy for that. I became happier when some ‘new’ friends had emailed me asking information on how to reach the island and some had thought of the intention of paying my little homeland a visit. They want to witness those fascinating scenes with their own eyes! And then comes their inevitable curiosity about the “safety” of going to Sulu. ‘IS IT STILL SAFE TO VISIT YOUR PLACE?’, ‘SHOULD I WEAR TANDUNG/TURUNGS?’, ‘DO TAUSUGS UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?’, and an endless list of questions. So I end up doing this list of helpful and friendly TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME TOURISTS to SULU ISLANDS. I hope this would help the people out there and let a ‘new light’ penetrate their minds. Indeed Sulu is more peaceful that what the NEWS say. See you in SULU! WHAT TO BRING: The Basics, of course! ...

Sulu had always been the "War Zone" in Southern Philippines. In fact, the name of the province itself was linked with the thoughts of the common people as "Conflict-ridden", "Unstable", "filled with fear and poverty", and worst "Terror". Yet nevertheless, Sulu had also given birth to enumerable and unrecorded histories. Sulu may be the 'poorest of the poor' provinces, but still, it had remained to be one of the riches provinces in terms of culture, history and natural resources as well.    This Photo Documentation by the author of this blog aims on showing the world what the other side of the coin: Sulu's Hidden Beauty.   Masjid Tulay: This is the Largest Masjid in the Province. Situated at the center of the Capital Town of Jolo (Barangay Tulay), this single building marked the "Dawn of new Hope" for the Tausug People. Amidst all the instabilities, there lies a new hope that unites the Tausugs...