MILF: Religious leaders calling for jihad vs govt

MANILA, Philippines — Religious leaders in Lanao are calling for a jihad (holy war) in fighting "oppressors" against Islam, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) claimed Saturday. In a statement on its website (www.luwaran.com), the MILF said the calls were made in sermons of religious leaders during Friday congregational prayers. "Sermons of the religious leaders of Lanao provinces in Friday's congregational prayers called on the Bangsamoro to unite and wage jihad fi sabilillah in fighting the oppressors, religious persecutors and enemies of Islam," it said. The government has not immediately responded to the alleged jihad calls. It added that after the prayers, religious folks voiced concerns that the government might again launch massive military offensives during the Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. The MILF recalled that the government started its all-out war campaign in 2003 against the MILF and the Bangsamoro people on Feb. 11 at Buliok Islamic Center. Buliok was where the late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim was delivering a khutbah (sermon) for the Eid Al-Adha (the feast of pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia). On the other hand, the MILF noted that while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joins some Muslim groups in their iftar (meal to break the fast at sundown), other Muslim communities in Mindanao are sore at her for government's "unprincipled attacks" on their homes. The MILF said the Muslim populace of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte assailed the attacks launched Friday by the military as "totally insensitive and unprincipled." "Heavy bombardments were unleashed by the AFP when we Muslims were partaking suhur (allowable early morning meals before fasting starts) and the iftar," the MILF quoted text messages from the Muslims in Lanao. It said civilians in Lanao rebuked the "relentless and indiscriminate" firing of 105mm and 155mm howitzers from 3 a.m. until sunset. Such attacks took place in Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur and in Poonapiagapo, Pantao Ragat and Munai towns in Lanao del Norte, the MILF said. Government troops also attacked Friday the MILF freedom fighters in Panggawa and Tagoranao, Calanogas, Lanao del Sur during Iftar. "Fierce gun battle ensued for hours but no report on casualty yet," the MILF said. On the other hand, the MILF said some 21 soldiers were killed and several others wounded in an ambush staged by the MILF at Bubongaranao, Calanogas last Sept. 17. The MILF said its freedom fighters have orders to defend themselves and the Bangsamoro people from the indiscriminate campaigns of the AFP. MILF claimed casualties on the government forces in Lanao provinces alone were estimated to around 250 soldiers since the start of police-military operations against the MILF last month. - GMANews.TV