Muslims share secrets of their trade

By Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer

AMONG the Muslim tribes of southern Philippines, the Maranao of the Lanao provinces have long been known for their entrepreneurial spirit.

They have been buying and selling goods even before colonial powers came to the Philippines and trading has remained a main source of livelihood. Very few of them go into agriculture or other professions.

Such entrepreneurship is put in full display in the thriving Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City, where 90 percent of the Muslim traders, many of whom have been in Greenhills since the 1980s – are Maranao or “people of the lake.” The remaining 10 percent are either Tausug or from Maguindanao.

Not unlike the Chinese

All are members of the 1,000-strong Greenhills Muslim Traders Association headed by Grand Imam Ahmad M. Dimapuno, which subscribes to a set of business principles not unlike those of the Chinese.

Matanog tells the Philippine Daily Inquirer that like the Chinese, Muslim entrepreneurs can be counted on to provide start-up capital to their fellow Muslims interested in trade. And no interest is charged in keeping with the Shariah law, or the guidelines followed by the Muslims.

“We believe that the reward for helping others put up their own business will come later,” says Matanog, who sells rubber shoes, bags and watches at the Greenhills tiangge section.

“He also says that Muslims have institutionalized “paluwagan” system, under which they contribute regularly to a pool and take turns using the combined funds to start a new business or expand their existing venture.

Matanog says that groups with about 10 members each implement the “paluwagan” system among themselves, and each member can get as much as P500,000 when he gets his turn to use the pooled fund.

Lots of luck

“We consider this fund as a very good capital and will bring a lot of luck to Muslim trader,” he explains.

The Muslim traders are divided into three main groups: Jewelry, cellular phones and general merchandise. Most, however, are in general merchandise with 1,000 stalls, followed by the cellular phone traders (500 stalls) and then 200 stalls for jewelry.

Matanog adds that Muslim traders in Greenhills make sure they maintain a harmonious relationship with their Christian brothers, especially since they account for 80 percent of customers. Foreign visitors comprise another 10 percent and the other 10 percent are fellow Muslims.

“We treat all of our customers with respect and we keep a very good relationship with our sukis or frequent buyers. We do rely heavily on our Christian patrons,” he says.

“Matanog credits the Muslim traders’ success in business to their unity, their desire to help each other succeed in their trade.

Blessings

The traders, for example, change locations every month so that each will get the chance to get prime or corner stalls that get the most customer traffic.

The association is also active in organizing Islamic activities to foster camaraderie among the traders. The more successful members likewise take time to advise others just finding their way into the business.

Matanog shares that in the aftermath of deadly Tropical Storm Ondoy that struck Luzon in September last year, members of the association rounded up money, food and clothing to help the hard-hit families in Marikina, most of whom were Christians.

“We have always believed that if we are one, many blessings will come to us and if people feel safe and secure, they will continue to patronize our products,” he says.

Matanog stresses, however, that not all Muslims succeed in business, even with all the help and guidance provided by fellow Muslim entrepreneurs.

“At the end of the day, he says, it is the Muslim trader’s perseverance, hard work and flair for business that will ultimately determine if he or she will have a flourishing trade.

“Not everyone succeeds in business, in the same way that not all who studied law can be a good lawyer,” Matanog says.