Filipino Muslims celebrate Kalilang Festival in Quiapo

MANILA, Philippines – About 20,000 Filipino Muslims from Metro Manila, the National Capital Region, and Mindanao celebrated the 3-day Kalilang* Festival at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila.

According to Jamal Latiph, media officer for I Care for Bangsamoro Movement, “The Kalilang Festival is held rarely, as it is reserved for royalty, particularly during times of enthronement.”

The Filipino-Muslim community celebrated Kalilang to commemorate the historic signing of the peace pact between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Thursday, March 27.

“This is the first time in modern times, since Nur Misuari signed the peace pact with the government in 1996, that the Muslim community, is again standing united,” said Latiph.

It took 17 years of negotiations before the Philippine government and the MILF agreed on the terms of the peace pact. (READ: ‘This is the crowning glory of our struggle’)

However, the peaceful jubilation in Mendiola, with some 200 Muslims, mostly members of Anak ng Mindanao (AMIN), was interrupted by a lightning rally held by leftists from the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), who were protesting the capture of spouses Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, known leaders of the CPP-New People’s Army.

AMIN was in the middle of prayer when about 60 NDF members began to sing Internationale, the official hymn of proletariats worldwide.

“The Muslims took offense and gave chase,” said Col. Fernando Opelanio, Station Head of the Manila Police District. Some witnesses said a scuffle ensued between the two groups.

Riot police were immediately dispatched to the scene to secure the area.

Meanwhile, some 2,000 Muslims celebrating Quiapo marched to Mendiola to join their brothers at around 1:00 pm. The Kalilang Festival was supposed to end Thursday night. – Rappler.com

*A previous version of this story mistakenly named the festival “Kilalang” when this should have been “Kalilang.” We have made the correction and apologize for the error.