MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari threatens to declare Moro independence -Philippi

[Wholegrain]

The Moro National Libation Front is split into several different factions. Nur Misuari heads one of them and has been the most vocal in threatening to derail peace talks and unilaterally declare independence and resume armed resistance against the Philippines.

 

[Wholegrain]

Nur says gov't actions pushing MNLF to declare independence
(philstar.com) | Updated July 25, 2013 - 4:52pm

Nur says gov't actions pushing MNLF to declare independence | Nation, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front warned that the group may opt to declare an independent republic if Malacañang pushes through with the closure of the GRP-MNLF 1996 final peace accord to accommodate the Framework Agreement for Bangsamoro (FAB) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Misuari told newsmen in a press briefing Thursday at his residence in this city tightly secured by his unarmed forces, disclosed that Malacañang has sent letters to the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) seeking the closure of all agreements with MNLF.

Misuari said the OIC Secretary-General has furnished his office with the copy of the explanatory note submitted by Malacañang dated March 21, 2013, requesting the OIC to put a closure to the tripartite review process on the final implementation of the 1996 peace accord.

“The Philippine Government is proposing the closure of our peace process and with the closure of the peace process that means the Philippine government will do away with the series of peace treaty agreements and on peace accord that we signed over a number of decades in our collective efforts with the participation of the OIC 57 member-states. Now they want this set aside,” Misuari said.

Misuari warned that pursuing the closure of the MNLF peace accord will give them the option to declare independence of the Bangsamoro homeland.

“That situation will become inevitable once they push through with the closure of this (peace accord),” Misuari said. “Kasi wala na kaming pag-asa after 37 years of peace talks pagkatapos they slam the doors on us... Anong mangyayari diyan? We have to look for the option and the only option is to go to the United Nations.”

Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1


Parts of the explanatory note on Malacañang's that the OIC has to acknowledge that Misuari is “no longer the sole representative of the Bangsamoro," and that it has to deal with the situation by tapping a more pluralistic representation. The request also cited that the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) signed with the MILF on Oct. 15 last year provides an opportunity to bring lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

Misuari reiterated that the agreement with the MILF is a gross violation to the accord which the Philippines signed with the MNL.

The MNLF chairman also hit President Aquino for turning his back on the promise of his mother - the late President Corazon Aquino - to provide an MNLF-led homeland to Moros.

"His agreement with the MILF is a total betrayal of his mother's promise to us after we help her catapult into the presidency. He (Pnoy) was a witness to that as a young boy when we held a series of meetings with his mother and Butch Aquino," Misuari added.

The MNLF founding chair also said the MILF agreement brought divisiveness and made the situation in Mindanao to become volatile.

“I think this is one reason this region is now becoming so volatile,” Misuari said, disclosing that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has reportedly dismantled five camps in the Zamboanga Sibugay region and redeployed them to Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas and even in this city.

The movement came with the reported massing of followers of Misuari following reports that he will be declaring independence Thursday which he vehemently denied.

During the conference at Misuari’s residence, it was observed the police and military forces have increased their presence, setting up checkpoints leading to the latter’s house in Barangay San Roque.

Misuari announced to the newsmen that he had sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, seeking the deployment of peace keeping forces to monitor the alleges excessive presence of military forces in the region, which Misuari said has caused panic and disruption of communities.

MNLF chief defers his

MNLF chief defers his ‘republik’ plan for now

Nur Misuari

Viewd by: 457
9:25 PM
30
July
2013
By Al Jacinto Moh i. Saaduddin and Jerry n. Adlaw/Zamboanga City

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari yesterday said the declaration of “pure independence” still needs approval of all his commanders and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which helped broker the 1996 peace agreement.

Misuari, who met with his commanders in the town of Indanan on July 29, almost declared independence but changed his mind, saying he still needs to consult with senior leaders before making the announcement “at the right time.”

“We are going to find the right time to for the formal declaration [of independence.] I still need to communicate with the OIC so we still have to discuss this with our leaders,” he said in the local Tausug dialect.

Misuari lamented that it has been three decades since the OIC mediated in the peace talks, but the government has failed to comply with the provisions in the accord.

“Nothing has been achieved. And that’s why we need to carefully plan on what steps to take. Let us wait, we cannot just jump into something which will not bring good to us,” he told his followers.

Surrounded by his most trusted leaders and loyal lieutenants, including Ustadz Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun, Misuari was many times interrupted by the chanting of a huge crowd of MNLF members who raised their weapons in the air as a show of support to his cause.

The military did nothing to prevent the daring public display of weapons and forces, fearing any attempt to stop them would trigger a fierce battle.

Misuari said government officials scrambled to meet with Indonesian leaders in Jakarta to ask them to intercede and stop him from declaring independence.

“I tell you Indonesia and the Philippines will again talk to us and try to stop our determination and this is to declare independence, complete, pure independence of our nation,” he said.

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa advised Manila to continue to exercise patience even in the face of provocation as he reiterated Jakarta’s support for the peace process in Mindanao.

Misuari has accused the government of trying to abrogate the peace accord it forged with the MNLF. He also denounced the peace talks between the government of President Benigno Aquino 3rd and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), its rival rebel group, after negotiators signed an accord that would create a Bangsamoro state.

Misuari insisted the peace process violated the MNLF-Philippines agreement.-Manila Times

Gov

Gov’t clarifies MNLF deal; Misuari vows to secede
By Joyce Pangco Panares | Posted on Jul. 29, 2013 at 12:02am | 2,296 views

15
The Aquino administration on Sunday said it does not intend to abrogate the 1996 final peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front amid reports that the group headed by Nur Misuari would declare independence for Mindanao.

Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said what the government seeks is the termination of the tripartite review mechanism brokered by the Organization of Islamic Conference.

“The government has conveyed its assurances that in the case of the closure of the Tripartite Implementation Review Process, the government will continue to engage relevant parties of the MNLF, through the existing mechanism, to find a just and comprehensive political solution for the issue of the southern Philippines,” said Deles who met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa last week to discuss the closure of the review mechanism.

“From the start, what the government proposed to complete was the review process, not the closure of the peace process nor the abrogation of the 1996 final peace agreement,” Deles added.

MNLF peace panel chief Absalom Cerveza said Misuari said his group would declare independence during an assembly of members in Jolo, Sulu.

Misuari alleged that the planned abrogation of the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF was to accommodate the future comprehensive peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“After the government’s refusal to talk peace with the MNLF and with the abrogation of the 1996 peace accord, we have no other option but to declare independence of Mindanao,” Cerveza said.

The MNLF, Cerveza said, has two courses of action: file a petition with the United Nations of the colonization of Mindanao or to use force and attack.

“We will know in the coming days [which action it will take]. Much will depend on the reaction of the government,” Cerveza said.

Upon learning of the OIC’s notification of the closure of the peace accord, Misuari seemed satisfied because he could do whatever he wants to, said Cerveza, who talked to Misuari in his house in San Roque, Zamboanga del Sur Wednesday.

“The government didn’t want to talk with us (MNLF) anymore so we will go back to where we started in 1969 when we declared for Mindanao independence,” Cerveza said.

Deles, however, was quick to point out that Indonesia — head of the OIC Committee of the Eight that brokered the 1996 peace agreement — will be the first to oppose any extra-legal means to undermine the territorial integrity of the Philippines.

“Minister Natalegawa was categorical in stating that Indonesia opposes any attempt to jeopardize the territorial integrity of the Philippines and that any such move falls outside the ambit of the agreed upon Tripartite Review Process.”

Misuari cited an explanatory note sent by the Palace to the OIC seeking the group’s acknowledgement that the MNLF is “no longer the sole representative of the Bangsamoro.”

As this developed, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Jose Lorena warned the public against “malicious” text messages saying that the MNLF would declare independence.

“We urge the public to be critical against false information. We also call for sobriety as our government, both national and local, are carefully handling the peace and security in Mindanao,” he said.

“It is best to seek out information from reliable sources and understand the context before making conclusions. We rely on the public to guard the process.”

Despite the threat to declare independence, Cerveza said, Misuari told his lieutenants to stay calm and not engage in any military confrontation with the government.

“We don’t like to start a war. All the armed components of the MNLF were ordered to stay in a defensive position in case of an attack,” Cerveza said. With Francisco Tuyay

Malacañang urges Moro National Liberation Front to 'seriously' look into benefits of framework pact | Sun.Star

MNLF urged to 'seriously' look into benefits of framework pact with MILF

1
-AA+A
Monday, July 29, 2013

MALACAÑANG asked Monday the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to "seriously" look into the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro ((FAB), which will benefit all the people in Mindanao, including them, instead of threatening to declare independence from the government.

In a press briefing, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it would be saddening if the MNLF, particularly the faction of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) governor Nur Misuari, will continue with its threat to declare independence in Mindanao.

He said that the FAB, including its four annexes, would redound ultimately to peace and development in Muslim Mindanao.

"And, therefore, we ask MNLF to seriously look into this—seriously look into this agreement, not as MNLF but as Bangsamoro, and it includes everyone: MI[LF], MN[LF], and the Lumads," Lacierda said.

Misuari claimed that the government was planning to abrogate the 1996 final peace agreement to accommodate the FAB.

But Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles clarified that the Aquino administration has no plan to end the peace deal with the MNLF but only the tripartite review mechanism facilitated by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

"It's very clear with the facilitator on that point, Indonesia is our facilitator with the talks between GPH (Government of the Philippines) and the MNLF, that they support the completion of the—not of the abrogation of any agreement, but on the statement made by Secretary Ging Deles, and I am not sure if it is the entire MNLF which is supporting secession," Lacierda said.

Asked if Misuari's group has remained a security threat, he said he would yet to ask the National Security Adviser of his assessment. (SDR/Sunnex)

Inaccurate letter to MNLF almost causes disaster - Solar News

Posted by
Published: Fri, July 26, 2013

Inaccurate letter to MNLF almost causes disaster



By David Santos
It was a simple "lost in translation" scenario.
But the unfolding nightmare that followed would have been disastrous to peace efforts in Muslim Mindanao.
The Philippine government had asked the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to complete its independent review of its peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The OIC then sent a letter to the MNLF – which came across as a recommendation to end the existing peace deal.
Nur Misuari, of course, reacted just like a warrior – denouncing the government, dropping hints of a revival of the struggle for independence .
It took Undersecretary Jose Larena, a former ranking MNFL official who is now with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), to point out the mistake.
While Larena confirmed the government's request, the letter apparently was worded inaccurately.
"The intent really was not for the closure of the tripartite, or the closure of our engagement with the MNLF. But it is to complete the review process," he said. "The idea was not the close the engagement but to put an end to the review."
Misuari's pronouncement came amid rumors swirling in Western Mindanao for days now that the MNLF will declare the independence of the so-called Bangsamoro Republic and that he will be named as its president.
Solar News obtained these photos of MNLF members marching early this month in Lamitan, Basilan, all of them brandishing high-powered firearms, some carrying flags bearing the MNLF insignia.
Needless to say, Lamitan residents were in a state of panic.
On Thursday, Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF's Islamic Command Council (ICC), confirmed that the uniformed men were really MNLF members. They came out because they thought that Misuari would declared independence that day, which of course the MNLF leader did not.
"He's too old to lead a war," Hashim said, adding waging war would be more difficult now because arms are not as readily available as they were in the 1970s.
For his part, Misuari said the MNLF was bent on bringing their grievances against the government before the United Nations, something they already did in the 1970s, during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos.
But Julkipli Wadi, dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, said: "It did not prosper because I think there were only very few Arab countries that supported his request, although many Arab countries resorted to imposing sanctions on the Philippine government by decreasing oil exports to the Philippines. That's why the government continued to the talk to Nur Misuari.
But Misuari is now fighting irrelevance. For one thing, he is already 71 years old, a far cry from a shadow of the young Moro rebel of four decades ago.
It doesn't help either, Wadi pointed out, that he has one other challenge to hurdle – diminishing credibility.
Misuari's strategies are conflicting and confusing: While he calls for Bangsamoro Independence, he has also been actively seeking elective posts in government.
But Wadi said that despite this contradiction, Misuari still commands influence in Muslim-dominated communities in Mindanao.
"I don't believe Chairman Misuari will walk away from what he has signed, not only as a gentleman but as a Muslim. Sa Muslim, if you have committed to something, you have to comply to it," Larena said.

The OPAPP has been talking to other MNLF leaders in a bid to put an end to the tripartite review.
But at the end of the day, OPAPP admitted, Misuari will remain a key factor to put the issue to rest – that's if the MNLF founder is willing to talk to them in the first place.

 

[Wholegrain]

Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who is allied with Misuari's MNLF faction rejects the peace deal that the MILF signed with the Philippines government.

Kiram: Sultanate areas not part of Bangsamoro
By Ferdinand Fabella | Posted on Aug. 03, 2013 at 12:02am | 1,383 views

Kiram: Sultanate areas not part of Bangsamoro - Manila Standard Today

The Sulu Sultanate has rejected the inclusion of its ancestral territories to the planned Bangsamoro region in Mindanao, saying the government had no right to turn them over to a political entity controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Abraham Idjirani, spokesman of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said the Sulu Archipelago comprising Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga and Palawan were owned by the sultanate.

“The subject of turning over the Ancestral Kingdom of the Sultanate of Sulu in the Sulu Archipelago to the MILF defined under the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement will prejudice its historical truths and patrimony,” Idjirani said.

“This is notwithstanding the political truth that these territories were the same territories defined in the 1996 MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front]-GRP Accord signed by President Ramos and MNLF Chairman Nurullaji Misuari.”

Idjirani said transferring the sovereignty of the Sulu Sultanate to the MILF-controlled region was “technical treason.”

The Sulu Sultanate, a close ally of Misuari, made the statement amid the MNLF’s threat to establish an independent republic in Mindanao even as Malacañang said no Muslim groups would be left out in the establishment of the new Bangsamoro region.

Idjirani said the government was treating the Sulu Sultanate like a “hotcake” that would soon be handed over to the MILF without prior consultation with sultanate officials.

“Under what authority, therefore, did the officials and authorities of the PNoy administration discard the protection of the Sultan of Sulu and its ancestral kingdom in the Sulu Archipelago?” Idjirani said.

He said the Sulu Archipelago was part of the territories Spain ceded to the United States by virtue of the Treaty of Paris signed on Dec. 10, 1898. In 1935, the US government had those ancestral territories incorporated into the Philippines.

Despite the vehement objection of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III’s great ancestors to join the Philippines as an independent State, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his nine living brothers and sisters and all other Kiram heirs embraced Filipino citizenship without qualifications, Idjirani said.

“The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement is a legal mechanism to proclaim the greatest grabbing of their [the sultanate’s] ancestral land by both the Philippine government and their Muslim brethren in the MILF, just like Sabah by Malaysia, a Muslim state,” Idjirani said in describing the MILF-GRP peace pact signed last year

 

[Wholegrain]

Nur Misuari's faction runs the mnlfnet.com website, whose articles I posted on the other thread. They've been taking a pro China, anti Japan, anti Philippines and anti Vietnam position in their articles (i LOLed at their description of what happened to those Vietnamese ships in at South Johnson Reef in 1988) and their rhetoric is absolute independence for the entire Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan and that negotiations are useless. I think they really are waiting for China and the Philippines to start a war before Misuari declares independence and resume hostilities.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/china-...graphic-engineering-against-moro-muslims.html

Misuari and the MNLF should try contacting China directly for help. Several Tausug Moros have been to China before on official delegations to visit Sulu royal descendants in Shandong and revisit historical ties between the Tausug Moros and China.

 

[Rechoice]

Why ?

Taiwan no need to threatens, Taiwan can declare his independence from China now. Taiwn is backed by US, not from some fishermen in Shandong.

 

[Silverblaze]

Wrong timing. people are generally tired and want stability, but this idiots don't learn.

 

[Tshering22]

This is dangerous.

I hope the Philippines government does not yield and sends in special forces to arrest and snuff this separatist out.

I don't understand WTF is the matter with these religion-based separatists.

Come on seriously?

Even Philippines?

 

[p3avi8tor69]

An old and fading warrior trying hard to be relevant. I believe these separatist issue threats like these on a continuing basis. Kinda like a child acting up to get attention.

The Pinoy army defeated the separatist in open combat in 2000 when they tried to pull a fast one on the Pinoy government.

 

[USAHawk785]

There's nothing really he can do. We've got anywhere around 500 to 2,000 US Marines in Mindanao. And our presence is increasing as the Visiting Forces Agreement is liberalized to include accommodation of US troops in more Philippine Army Bases / Naval Bases / Air Force Bases around the country.

Send a Ranger unit, and snipe this mo fo.

 

[Wholegrain]

There's nothing really he can do. We've got anywhere around 500 to 2,000 US Marines in Mindanao. And our presence is increasing as the Visiting Forces Agreement is liberalized to include accommodation of US troops in more Philippine Army Bases / Naval Bases / Air Force Bases around the country.

Send a Ranger unit, and snipe this mo fo.

Ameril Umbra Kato and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are actually fighting the Philippine armed forces right now, how come those 2,000 marines can't find them? There is both the BIFF and the NPA (communists) fighting against the Philippines and the marines have been unable to do anything against them.

 

[Tshering22]

There's nothing really he can do. We've got anywhere around 500 to 2,000 US Marines in Mindanao. And our presence is increasing as the Visiting Forces Agreement is liberalized to include accommodation of US troops in more Philippine Army Bases / Naval Bases / Air Force Bases around the country.

Send a Ranger unit, and snipe this mo fo.

Buddy, the point is will the US forces be able to participate in another combat in case Philippines rings the alarm bells?

I have no doubt on USMC capabilities but the willingness to be able to do especially with Afghanistan-Pakistan situation at hand.

 

[USAHawk785]

Buddy, the point is will the US forces be able to participate in another combat in case Philippines rings the alarm bells?

I have no doubt on USMC capabilities but the willingness to be able to do especially with Afghanistan-Pakistan situation at hand.

We know the Philippine terrain like the back of our hand. The United States conquered the Philippines and defeated the 1st Army of the Republic during the Philippine-American War from 1898-1901. We then defeated the Moros during the Moro War.

During the reconquest of the Philippines in 1944, we occupied every major island and eradicated the 300,000-strong Imperial Japanese 14th Army stationed in the Philippines.

Battling MNLF? We don't need to battle, we will cooperate with the Philippine Marines and Rangers to pinpoint the location of men such as Nusuari et al, and have them taken cared of.

We silenced Bin Laden deep within Pakistan. Nusuari and other islamofascists are pieces of cake.

Besides, the Philippines has realized the importance of its relationship with the United States.

Throughout its history we were essential in their existence. During the 1950's Hukbalalahap War, we cooperated with the Diosdado Macapagal Administration to eradicate the communist Huks. In the 1970's till the mid 1980s we cooperated with Manila in suppressing the war in Mindanao. They kicked us out in '91-'92, however, we came back. Actually they invited us back vis-a-vis the Visiting Forces Agreement. Now, they are extending our stay and the number of our soldiers, practically allow the 7th Fleet to have access to the deep water port of Subic.

Don't you know? US Army, Navy and Airforce have access to every and all Philippine military bases?

US Marines have been cooperating with Philippine Marines since 2002 in picking off the Abu Sayaff , and major MNLF , MILF factions. Media doesn't show this, buddy, but we're helping the Pinoys civilize their deep south.

 

[Tshering22]

We know the Philippine terrain like the back of our hand. The United States conquered the Philippines and defeated the 1st Army of the Republic during the Philippine-American War from 1898-1901. We then defeated the Moros during the Moro War.

During the reconquest of the Philippines in 1944, we occupied every major island and eradicated the 300,000-strong Imperial Japanese 14th Army stationed in the Philippines.

Battling MNLF? We don't need to battle, we will cooperate with the Philippine Marines and Rangers to pinpoint the location of men such as Nusuari et al, and have them taken cared of.

We silenced Bin Laden deep within Pakistan. Nusuari and other islamofascists are pieces of cake.

Besides, the Philippines has realized the importance of its relationship with the United States.

Throughout its history we were essential in their existence. During the 1950's Hukbalalahap War, we cooperated with the Diosdado Macapagal Administration to eradicate the communist Huks. In the 1970's till the mid 1980s we cooperated with Manila in suppressing the war in Mindanao. They kicked us out in '91-'92, however, we came back. Actually they invited us back vis-a-vis the Visiting Forces Agreement. Now, they are extending our stay and the number of our soldiers, practically allow the 7th Fleet to have access to the deep water port of Subic.

Don't you know? US Army, Navy and Airforce have access to every and all Philippine military bases?

US Marines have been cooperating with Philippine Marines since 2002 in picking off the Abu Sayaff , and major MNLF , MILF factions. Media doesn't show this, buddy, but we're helping the Pinoys civilize their deep south .

I really hope you do.

This j I h a d mess is getting a big problem in even countries that have nothing against Islam.

Put things into perspective: you're their enemies since olden times, I agree. We are their enemies since olden times I agree. Same goes for the Jews.

But I wonder what have the Filipinos, Thais and the Burmese have done historically to warrant such a separatist movement...

 

[USAHawk785]

Ameril Umbra Kato and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are actually fighting the Philippine armed forces right now, how come those 2,000 marines can't find them? There is both the BIFF and the NPA (communists) fighting against the Philippines and the marines have been unable to do anything against them.

Buddy, buddy, you're to idealistic and you don't know the local politics of the Philippines and the Filipinos. The NPA is preserved. The Philippine Government needs an 'enemy' a pretext for military arms and expenditure. for 30 years they were focused on internal control and not external control. The AFP could easily crush the NPA and the islamofascists with impunity. However, there needs to be an enemy. There has to be a justification for military arms sales and defense acquisitions.

The very reason why the Philippine Government is using China (PRC) as the pretext for military buildup and to extend closer relations and access to and for the United States Armed Forces. And we're enjoying the Pinoy position in opening their ports to us again. Well what can I say............"Daddy's Home..."



https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MlnU_sW9kvo

 

[USAHawk785]

I really hope you do.

This j I h a d mess is getting a big problem in even countries that have nothing against Islam.

Put things into perspective: you're their enemies since olden times, I agree. We are their enemies since olden times I agree. Same goes for the Jews.

But I wonder what have the Filipinos, Thais and the Burmese have done historically to warrant such a separatist movement...

Fanatical Islam , the one that takes a militant approach is a problem not only for the Philippines, but for Thailand, and even in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Look at the Kiram episode, Kiram is a muslim who waged a war in Sabah against fellow muslims. This is the very reason why Manila does not communicate openly with Kiram nor does Manila recognize Kiram as the Sultan of an age old entity.

@USAHawk785 - So Doc, whats your Specialization in ?

My Dad's a Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist !

Hi Bro,


General Surgery and am on my 2nd year fellowship for Cardiothoracic Surgery.

How was EID for you?

I have a very close friend who just celebrated EID yesterday.