PRESS RELEASE
REFERENCE: BANGSAMORO News Agency
Mindanao, South Philippines
April 5, 2002                                                                              

MNLF SENIOR LEADERS ATTENDED A 3-DAY SPECIAL SESSION OF THE OIC ICFM IN KUALA LUMPUR

THREE senior leaders of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front under the leadership of Chairman Nur Misuari had attended the just concluded 3-day special session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

            Dr. Abdurahman Amin, MNLF permanent ambassador to the OIC; Ibrahim Omar, Chairman of the Information Committee; and Roida Tan, Chairperson of the Bangsamoro Women Committee, represented the MNLF in the special meeting on April 1-3 at the Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel, which tackled, among others, the pressing issue of international terrorism.

 

              MNLF Vice Chairman Jimmy Labawan said that in a clear manifestation of recognition, the OIC secretary-general acknowledged the three MNLF representatives in the plenary as official delegates to the meeting of the very influential international pan-Islamic body.

 

            The official attendance of the 3 MNLF delegates to the meeting has once again cleared the issue, which is usually publicized by the media, that the OIC had already given recognition to the breakaway faction such as the Executive Council of 15.

 

            The mainstream MNLF under Chairman Nur Misuari, enjoys a permanent observer status in the OIC for the last 30 years, and is still recognized by the Islamic body as the sole and legitimate representative of the more than ten million Bangsamoro people

to the organization of the Muslim Ummah.

 

            During the OIC meeting, the MNLF representatives expounded the MNLF strong resolve and determination to combat local and international terrorism as repeatedly expressed by Chairman Misuari in his various speeches and meetings both in local and international gatherings prior to his illegal detention.

 

            Even in his detention facilities, Chairman Misuari issued a strong directive to the MNLF, especially the Bangsamoro Armed Forces, to maintain their role as the champion, guardian, protector and promoter of peace in Mindanao and in the country.

 

            Despite Chairman Misuari's illegal detention, the MNLF is still committed to the GRP-OIC-MNLF Final Peace Agreement of September 2, 1996 for a peaceful political resolution of the Bangsamoro question in Mindanao. # # #