Mohammed Esmail Kiram I


Sultan Mohammed Esmail Kiram was a Sultan of Sulu. He ruled from 1950 to 1974.

Personal life

He was the eldest son of Raja Muda Muwallil Wasit II and Mora Napsa. He became the legally recognized successor of the Sultan of Sulu upon his father's death.

History

The Sultan granted authority to the Philippine government under the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal in 1962. In 1969, he met with President Ferdinand Marcos. The Philippine government officially recognized the continued existence of the Sulu Sultanate and the office of Sultan of Sulu. His eldest son, Mohammed Mahakuttah Abdullah Kiram, became his Raja Muda.
In 1974, Mohammed Esmail died and was duly succeeded by Mahakuttah. The accession of the new Sultan was recognized by the Filipino President, under whose act Manila acknowledged the personal status of the Sultan-King and the formation of the government of Sulu. Mahakuttah's son and heir Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram became the Raja Muda.