Muslim religious leader surprised by reports on memorial for Bin Laden

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—A key Muslim religious leader in Metro Manila on Friday expressed surprise at reports he would lead a memorial service for Osama Bin Laden in Quiapo, a relative of the leader said.

In a text message to a relative, Sheikh Jamil Yahya, chair of the Bangsamoro Supreme Council of the Ulama, said what he was told was that the prayer rally was in sympathy for the victims of US-NATO raids in Libya.

The relative forwarded the text message to the Inquirer. It read: “After Jamaat salat bukas (Friday prayers tomorrow) rally at Quiapo Golden Masjid (mosque) and to (the) US Embassy vs. US-NATO Libya, killing civilians – Sh Jamil Yahya.”

The same text message, the relative said, was also sent to Manila-based journalists covering the Muslim beat.

The relative said it was apparent that Yahya had been misinformed about the real purpose of the rally, and expressed fear his participation there would create an impression that the religious leader and many Muslims in the Philippines were fanatically pro-Bin Laden.