Maranao Community Pays Tribute to Dimaporo

JEDDAH, 2 May 2004 - The Maranao community in Jeddah recently paid tribute and offered prayers to Lanao political kingpin Ali Dimaporo, who died last week of a lingering illness. He was 95.

Among those who attended the gathering at the gymnasium of the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) were Consul General Pendosina Lomondot and Labor AttachŽ Nasser Munder.

When Lanao was divided into two provinces in 1959, Dimaporo was elected governor of Lanao del Norte. He was re-elected in 1963 and later won a congressional seat he held until 1973. Dimaporo was also president of Mindanao State University for 10 years from 1976.

The gathering in Jeddah was organized by the United Bangsaranao Council, with its organizing committees Shakba, Ewaton, Tarakanians and the Binidayan Islamic Association.