The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), formerly the largest rebel group in the Philippines, has invited Pope Francis to take a side trip to the south during his visit to the country next month.MILF political affairs vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar confirmed the invitation Thursday, saying the pope had been invited to Cotabato City in Maguindanao province. He said the MILF’s invitation to Pope Francis was conveyed through Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo.
Jaafar declined to provide details on the content of the letter, written by MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, and whether it had been received by Pope Francis.
Meanwhile, the Imam Council of the Philippines has praised the inclusion of two Muslim leaders in the pontiff's January 18 dialogue with Christian and Buddhist leaders at the University of Santo Tomas.