Encyclopedia of Islam

Moro National Liberation Front

  

481  J

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people, the MNLF sought international recogni-

tion as the sole representative of the Moro nation 

(Bangsamoro). Meanwhile, one of the leaders of 

the MNLF, Salamat Hashim, educated in Cairo’s 

a

l

-a

zhar

 University and influenced by the Islamic 

movements in the Middle East during J

amal

 a

bd

al

  n

asir

’s presidency, grew concerned that the 

leadership of the MNLF was rapidly progressing 

toward Marxist-Maoist politics and away from 

an Islamic orientation. Thus, he split from the 

MNLF to organize the Moro Islamic Liberation 

Front (MILF). Although the MNLF and the MILF 

signed a unity pact in 2001, the MNLF continues 

to be plagued by factional divisiveness fomented 

to some degree by the Philippine government. In 

December 1996 the Final Peace Agreement was 

signed between the Philippine government and 

the MNLF. In the same year, Misuari ran in the 

gubernatorial race for the Autonomous Region of 

Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and won. However, 

Misuari is currently imprisoned and charged with 

rebellion.

Tara Munson