PHILIPPINES: Muslim Filipinos in Manila hold prayer rally for end to the Sabah standoff that has killed at least 40 people
Record ID:
213913
PHILIPPINES: Muslim Filipinos in Manila hold prayer rally for end to the Sabah standoff that has killed at least 40 people
- Title: PHILIPPINES: Muslim Filipinos in Manila hold prayer rally for end to the Sabah standoff that has killed at least 40 people
- Date: 6th March 2013
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (MARCH 6, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN SITTING ON RUGS MUSLIM MEN SITTING ON RUGS AND PRAYING IMAM STANDING MUSLIMS BEHIND IMAM STANDING MUSLIMS BOWING (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) IMAM ZAMANUDIN JIALIL SAYING: "Our prayer to Allah was to stop the conflict between Sultan Jamalul Kiram and the Malaysian government, for the violence to stop." SUPPORTERS CARRYING TORCHES SUPPORTERS IN FRONT OF COMMUNITY LEADER WOMAN CARRYING TORCH (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANAK MINDANAO (MINDANAO CHILDREN) SPOKESPERSON NORHAYA NACUSAG SAYING: "We are deeply disturbed by the crisis as the violence persists in Sabah. We are very apprehensive that it may get out of control. This is the reason that we are united and firm in our call to both parties for the unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities and for the Malaysian government and the Sulu Sultanate to immediately work for the de-escalation of conflict and to open up dialogues to resolve this conflict." SUPPORTERS RAISING FISTS AND CHANTING: "ALLAHU AKBAR (GOD IS GREAT)" VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS MARCHING WHILE CARRYING TORCHES AND CHANTING: "ALLAHU AKBAR (GOD IS GREAT)"
- Embargoed: 21st March 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Philippines
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Conflict,Politics,Religion,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA3I7A3GJKK9WNTEITLXQDI9DNP
- Story Text: About 100 Filipino Muslims held a candle-lit vigil in Manila on Wednesday (March 6) to pray for an end to a bloody standoff between Malaysian forces and armed rebels in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah.
The nearly month-long confrontation in Sabah, in Malaysia's part of Borneo island, was sparked when the armed group of about 200 sailed from the nearby southern Philippines to press an ancient claim to the resource-rich region.
Muslim supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, leader of the clan laying claims on Sabah, participated in evening prayers.
"Our prayer to Allah was to stop the conflict between Sultan Jamalul Kiram and Malaysian government, for the violence to stop," said Imam Zamanudin Jialil.
Supporters lit torches and marched on the street outside the Kiram residence, as they urged both parties to halt attacks, saying the violence may affect the 800,000 Filipinos living in Sabah.
Many Muslim Filipinos from provinces in Mindanao have migrated to Sabah to work in palm oil plantations.
"We are deeply disturbed by the crisis as the violence persists in Sabah. We are very apprehensive that it may get out of control. This is the reason that we are united and firm in our call to both parties for the unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities and for the Malaysian government and the Sulu Sultanate to immediately work for the de-escalation of conflict and to open up dialogues to resolve this conflict," said Anak Mindanao spokesperson Norhaya Nacusag.
Clashes killed at least 40 people including eight Malaysian policemen in the days leading up to Tuesday's (March 5) assault.
Malaysian police said one gunman was shot on Wednesday, and warned residents to be on the alert for members of the group who may have escaped into palm-oil plantations that dominate the coastal area and who could be posing as farmers.
Fighter jets bombed the group's camp in the Felda Sahabat plantation early on Tuesday after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said his patience had run out. Philippine officials had urged the group of almost 200 to return home.
The group says it represents the now defunct sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines and demands recognition and payment from Malaysia for their claim as rightful owners of Sabah.
Sulu is an island chain that lies between Sabah and the Philippines' Mindanao island. The sultan's family, the Kirams, are traditional rulers, with no formal political powers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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