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Muslim World News Updates |
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26 May 2009 The highly heralded Government of the
Republic of the Philippines (GRP) bid for observer
status at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
was soundly rejected by the 57-Pan Islamic Group at
its opening session yesterday, May 23.
Turkey led the group of countries which opposed the
Philippine bid for observer status. The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Yemen strongly supported the
Turkey’s position.
However, Indonesia, the traditional ally of the
Philippines, asked the OIC foreign ministers to grant
the Philippines an observer status. The motion was
seconded by Bahrain and Iraq.
This was learned from the three-man MILF delegation to
the 36th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers,
now on its second day in Damascus, Syrian Arab
Republic.
The conference started yesterday and will end
tomorrow, May 25.
In this year OIC conference, the Philippines sent a
33-man delegation, the Moro National Liberation Front
(MNLF) 22, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
only three.
Before the conference, the Philippine government
strongly believed for the success of their bid after
years of failed attempts. The Philippines was banking
on the reported favorable endorsements it got from
Egypt and Syria, after President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo paid official visits to these countries. The
Philippines was also saying that it also got the
endorsement of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin
Saud for its bid.
Both the MILF and MNLF strongly opposed the GRP
application for observer status. But only Al Haj Murad
Ebrahim, MILF chairman, came openly against the bid by
writing official letters to Muslim states’ foreign
ministers requesting them to oppose the Philippine
bid. However, the MNLF cannot oppose the Philippine
bid openly because its chairman, Nur Misuari, is
virtually under Manila’s control.
EsinIslam.Com
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