MILF unites with Catholic Filipinos in welcoming Pope Francis

Murad Ebrahim. AFP FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has said it is one with the country’s Catholic faithful in welcoming Pope Francis in the Philippines on January 15.

“We join the Christian Filipinos in the coming of Pope, alam namin na mahalaga ang pagbisita nya dito ay meaningful,” MILF chair Murad Ebrahim said in a radio interview, on Sunday, four days before the Papal visit.

“In fact last October, I personally sent a letter to the pope through Cardinal Quevedo, appreciating his forthcoming visit, and hoping he will send us his word of wisdom and encouragement dito sa peace na hinahangad natin, not only for the Muslims but for the entire population,” Murad said.

“We welcome very much the coming of the Pope,” he said, hoping the Pope would mention in his speeches about peace in Mindanao.

Murad expressed hope the Pontiff would endorse the Mindanao peace process for the attainment of genuine peace in the region.

The MILF chair also expressed hope the Pontiff would make a side trip to Cotabato City as he had requested in a letter sent to the Pope through His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, archbishop of Cotabato.

Based on the schedule of Papal visit released by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Pope has not been scheduled to take a side trip to Mindanao.

His only trip outside of Manila as stated in the papal itinerary will be Tacloban City on January 17.