Official webpage: http://www.royalhouseofsulu.org/
During his long reign he signed several treaties with different nations.Unfortunately he has no offspring of his own. He passed on his authority to his youngest brother Al-marhum Sultan Mawallil Wasit Kiram (1936).
Al-marhum Sultan Mawallil Wasit Kiram was Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram’s great grandfather and Al-marhum Sultan Moh. Jamalul Kiram II was his great grand uncle.
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram is the grandson of the 33rd Sultan of Sulu, Al-marhum Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I (1950-1973)
Al-marhum Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I has granted authority to Philippine government under the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal on 12th of September 1962 and of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1969.
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram‘s mother Dayang-Dayang Farida Tan-Kiram. She was commonly known as the Princess of Sulu.
Al-marhum Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, 34th Sultan of Sulu had seven children:
1. Dayang-Dayang Zuharra T.Kiram
2. Dayang-Dayang Dinwasa T. Kiram Delos Santos
3. Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram
4. Datu Yldon Tan Kiram
5. Dayang-Dayang Nur Mahal T. Kiram
6. Dayang-Dayang Ayesha T. Kiram
7. Dayang-Dayang Tanya Rowena T. Kiram -Tahil
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram is married with H.M. Dayang-Dayang Mellany S. Kiram. They have seven children.
1. Raja Muda Moh. Ehsn S. Kiram
2. Datu Nizamuddin S. Kiram
3. Dayang-Dayang Rahela S. Kiram
4. Datu Jihad S. Kiram
5. Datu Mujahid S. Kiram
6. Dayang-Dayang Redha S. Kiram
7. Datu Mahakuttah S. Kiram
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram studied Islam in Lahore, Pakistan (1995-1996). He got a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from AE College, Zamboanga. He also served the local community as a government official. At present he is involved as a civil society leader in the Province of Sulu which opposes the US-RP Balikatan Exercises of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram was born in Jolo. Jolo was once the capital of a maritime empire that traded with the great Empire of China and with other kingdoms in Southeast Asia.
As Raja Muda of Sulu, the Sultanate is Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram birthright. There is a sacred bond between the Sultan and his people, the Rayaat, that is handed down from generation to generation between the royal family and trusted people who live in Sabah and in the Sulu Archipelago.
The Sulu Archipelago includes Palawan, Sabah, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, the Sprately islands and the Balambagan group of islands. Historically it was part of Nusantara. According to oral history and traditions, Sulu has been independent and sovereign centuries before the birth of the Republic of Philippines. Sulu Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram‘s ancestors contracted treaties with powerful nations and defended Sulu rights to freedom in traditional way of life against invaders.
But from the start of the Philippine Republic which lumped Sulu with the rest of the islands under the name Philippine Archipelago,Sulu has experienced devastation, death and downfall.
The Macaski Judgment over the Sabah issue in 1939 was a blow to the Sulu Sultanate. Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram‘s grandfather, Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I was one of the recipients of that judgment. The Macaski settlement divided Sulu into divisions.
Sabah became a private property and the heirs of the Sultan were divided among themselves. One group wanted Sabah for sale while another group wanted to take it back.
When Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram’s grandfather, Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I, granted authority to the Philippine government through Pres. Diosdado Macapagal and Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, it was with the hope that the Philippine government would become a caretaker of the domain of the Sulu Sultanate to help the Muslims in this archipelago. This transfer of sovereign authority carried with these obligations and agreements.
As Sulu political power is declined, the unity of the Tausug people in the whole archipelago also has weakened. The economic life of the whole region was brought to the lowest level. Then came the Muslim rebellion and the civil war in 1974 that devastated the whole Sulu. Hundreds of thousands innocent people died.
In 1974 Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram‘s father was installed as the Sultan of Sulu. His father’s twelve year reign started the slow but steady recovery of Sulu people.
Al-marhum Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, 34th Sultan of Sulu had seven children:
1. Dayang-Dayang Zuharra T.Kiram
2. Dayang-Dayang Dinwasa T. Kiram Delos Santos
3. Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram
4. Datu Yldon Tan Kiram
5. Dayang-Dayang Nur Mahal T. Kiram
6. Dayang-Dayang Ayesha T. Kiram
7. Dayang-Dayang Tanya Rowena T. Kiram -Tahil
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram is married with H.M. Dayang-Dayang Mellany S. Kiram. They have seven children.
1. Raja Muda Moh. Ehsn S. Kiram
2. Datu Nizamuddin S. Kiram
3. Dayang-Dayang Rahela S. Kiram
4. Datu Jihad S. Kiram
5. Datu Mujahid S. Kiram
6. Dayang-Dayang Redha S. Kiram
7. Datu Mahakuttah S. Kiram
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram studied Islam in Lahore, Pakistan (1995-1996). He got a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from AE College, Zamboanga. He also served the local community as a government official. At present he is involved as a civil society leader in the Province of Sulu which opposes the US-RP Balikatan Exercises of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram was born in Jolo. Jolo was once the capital of a maritime empire that traded with the great Empire of China and with other kingdoms in Southeast Asia.
Succession of the Royal House of Sulu and North Borneo. The Astana replica.
As Raja Muda of Sulu, the Sultanate is Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram birthright. There is a sacred bond between the Sultan and his people, the Rayaat, that is handed down from generation to generation between the royal family and trusted people who live in Sabah and in the Sulu Archipelago.
Official flag of Royal Sultanate of Sulu
But from the start of the Philippine Republic which lumped Sulu with the rest of the islands under the name Philippine Archipelago,Sulu has experienced devastation, death and downfall.
The Macaski Judgment over the Sabah issue in 1939 was a blow to the Sulu Sultanate. Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram‘s grandfather, Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I was one of the recipients of that judgment. The Macaski settlement divided Sulu into divisions.
Sabah became a private property and the heirs of the Sultan were divided among themselves. One group wanted Sabah for sale while another group wanted to take it back.
When Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram’s grandfather, Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I, granted authority to the Philippine government through Pres. Diosdado Macapagal and Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, it was with the hope that the Philippine government would become a caretaker of the domain of the Sulu Sultanate to help the Muslims in this archipelago. This transfer of sovereign authority carried with these obligations and agreements.
As Sulu political power is declined, the unity of the Tausug people in the whole archipelago also has weakened. The economic life of the whole region was brought to the lowest level. Then came the Muslim rebellion and the civil war in 1974 that devastated the whole Sulu. Hundreds of thousands innocent people died.
In 1974 Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram‘s father was installed as the Sultan of Sulu. His father’s twelve year reign started the slow but steady recovery of Sulu people.
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, 35th Sultan of Sulu, together with
Mellany S. Kiram and Crown Prince Moh. Ehsn S. Kiram.
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram has waited twenty-two years for the official recognition to succeed his father.
Royal Monogram of HM Ampun Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, designed by HE Datu Sadja Michael Y. Medvedev.
His Majesty Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram was crowned as the 35th legitimate Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo on the 16th of September 2012. The Coronation events took place in Mainbung (Sulu), in the presence of dignitaries of the Sultanate, foreign guests, other dignitaries, and a large number of the people of Sulu. Subsequent to the coronation, His Majesty reaffirmed, as de jure Sultan, his earlier dynastic institution of the Royal Order of the Pearl, also reconfirming his position within the Order as Grand Sayyid.
Official flag of HM Ampun Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram
HISTORY
HISTORY
Royal Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 by Malacca born scholar, Sayed-al-Hashim Abu Bakr. After the marriage of Abu Bakr and local Dayang-Dayang (princess of the first degree) Paramisuli, he founded the sultanate and assumed the title Paduka Mahasari Maulana al Sultan Sharif ul-Hāshim. Sultan Sharif ul-Hāshim was a direct descendant of Islamic prophet Muhammad.
HM Almarhum Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram and his Royal Council with the President HE Ferdinand E. Marcos.
SOVEREIGNTY
Sovereign rights over Sulu were transferred in 1851; Sovereign rights over North Borneo were transferred in 1962; The abolition of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu in 1936 did not abolish the Sultan nor his line of succession. In 1962 Philippine Government again officially recognised the continued existence of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu.
The Astana Replica Palace in Sulu.
PRESENT SITUATION
The current ruling Royal House of Sulu is the Royal House of Kiram. The Royal House of Kiram descends from Sultan Jamalul Kiram I, who was the Sultan of Sulu from 1823-1844.
CURRENT LEGITIMATE HEAD OF THE ROYAL SULTANATE OF SULU
Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, the eldest son, legitimate heir and successor to His Majesty late Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, Sultan in the State of Sulu and all its districts and dependencies (1974–1986) is the current head of the Royal House of Sulu from 16 February 1986 to present.
Datu Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram was crowned as Raja Muda of Sulu on 24 May 1974 beside his father in Sulu, under Memo Order 427, which was issued by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, President of Philippines. Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the last recognised Raja Muda of Sulu by Philippine government. Whereas, Memo Order 427 states that "The Government has always recognised the Sultanate of Sulu as the legitimate claimant to the historical territories of the Republic of Philippines". On 15 August 1974 Raja Muda's father Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram submitted the organisational structure of the Sultanate of Sulu to the President of Philippines. The above named structure stated that Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the Raja Muda of Sulu.
Structure of the Sulu Sultanate in 1974. (copy of the original document). Notice names of the Sultan (HRH Mohammad Mahakuttah Kiram) and the Crown Prince - Raja Muda (Datu Muedzul-Lail Kiram).
SOVEREIGNTY
Sovereign rights over Sulu were transferred in 1851; Sovereign rights over North Borneo were transferred in 1962; The abolition of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu in 1936 did not abolish the Sultan nor his line of succession. In 1962 Philippine Government again officially recognised the continued existence of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu.
PRESENT SITUATION
The current ruling Royal House of Sulu is the Royal House of Kiram. The Royal House of Kiram descends from Sultan Jamalul Kiram I, who was the Sultan of Sulu from 1823-1844.
Ceremonial kalis (keris, kris) of HM Ampun Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram of Sulu and North Borneo
Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, the eldest son, legitimate heir and successor to His Majesty late Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, Sultan in the State of Sulu and all its districts and dependencies (1974–1986) is the current head of the Royal House of Sulu from 16 February 1986 to present.
Datu Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram was crowned as Raja Muda of Sulu on 24 May 1974 beside his father in Sulu, under Memo Order 427, which was issued by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, President of Philippines. Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the last recognised Raja Muda of Sulu by Philippine government. Whereas, Memo Order 427 states that "The Government has always recognised the Sultanate of Sulu as the legitimate claimant to the historical territories of the Republic of Philippines". On 15 August 1974 Raja Muda's father Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram submitted the organisational structure of the Sultanate of Sulu to the President of Philippines. The above named structure stated that Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the Raja Muda of Sulu.
His Majesty Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram was crowned as the 35th legitimate Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo on the 16th of September 2012. The Coronation events took place in Mainbung (Sulu), in the presence of dignitaries of the Sultanate, foreign guests, other dignitaries, and a large number of the people of Sulu. Subsequent to the coronation, His Majesty reaffirmed, as de jure Sultan, his earlier dynastic institution of the Royal Order of the Pearl, also reconfirming his position within the Order as Grand Sayyid.
Members of the Royal House of Sulu hold the style of His/Her Royal Highness (HRH). The adopted members (their spouses and their children) of the Royal House of Sulu hold the style of His/Her Highness (HH).
SOCIAL CLASS SYSTEM
Among the people of Sultanate of Sulu, the title of nobility could be acquired only by lineage, a "close system" whereby the titled persons inherit their offices of powers and prestige.
There are two main social classes in Royal Sultanate of Sulu:
1.Datu
The ruling class
1.1 Datu (su-sultanun), which is acquired purely by lineage to the sultanate. Whereas, all male members of the Royal House of Sulu should hold this hereditary title and should hold the style: His Royal Highness or His Highness, according to the traditional customs of Royal House of Sulu. Whereas, their spouses should automatically hold the title of Dayang Dayang (princess of the first degree) and should hold the style: Her Royal Highness or Her Highness.
1.2 Datu Sadja, which may be acquired through confirming the titles (gullal) on the middleman of the Sultan. The gullal is made if a commoner has achieved outstanding feats or services in line of duty through display of bravery, heroism, etc. Datu Sadja is life title of nobility and the title holders should hold the style: His Excellency. Whereas their spouses should hold the title of Dayang and should hold the style: Her Excellency.
The Traditional Songkok ( Headwear) of a Royal Datu of Sulu
2. Maharlika
The commoners
The commoners are those who do not trace their descent from royalty. The Wakil Kesultan's, Panglimas, Parkasa's and Laksaman's who are commoners hold responsible positions involving administrative matters.
2.1 Wakil Kesultanan - region representative outside Royal Sulu Sultanate
2.2 Panglima - region representative inside Royal Sulu Sultanate
2.3 Parkasa - aid-de-camp of region representative inside Royal Sulu Sultanate
2.4 Laksaman - sub region representative inside Royal Sulu Sultanate
The males who hold offices above shall be addressed by the title of nobility Tuan (the title is directly attached to the office), followed by the rank of the office they hold, their given name, surname and region.
The females who hold offices above shall be addressed by the title of nobility Sitti (the title is directly attached to the office), followed by the rank of the office they hold, their given name, surname and region.
The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl
In his care for preservation of the ancient customs of the Sultanate and the values of the nation, Ampun Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram in 2011 used his right of a fons honorum to create an Order, thus developing the traditional honours of the Royal court in a form accepted internationally.
The Royal Throne room of the Astana replica.
