MILF chairman Murad casts vote in Bangsamoro plebiscite
FIRST TIME VOTER. MILF chairmam Murad Ebrahim arrives at the Simuay Junction Central Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, a province expected to vote overwhelmingly for ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler
SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines (UPDATED) – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Murad Ebrahim cast his vote in the historic Bangsamoro plebiscite, an exercise he was instrumental in bringing about.
Arriving a little past 10 am on Monday, January 21, at the Simuay Junction Central School in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Murad flashed a big smile as he walked to his voting precinct.
"Very happy, very enthusiastic," he said when he was asked how he was feeling.
"During the height of the war, we never thought that this will happen. But after the progress in the peace process, then we see that there is light in the tunnel," he added.
Wearing the MILF's green, Murad was swarmed by residents of the area, mostly MILF members themselves.
As he entered the classroom where he would tick his ballot, residents shouted "Allah hu akbar!" while raising their fists.
Still surrounded by supporters and media, Murad took his seat in a classroom chair and wrote on his ballot, historic not only for the Muslim rebel movement but for him personally. This is the first time Murad has voted in his life.
Murad said he wanted the Bangsamoro Organic Law to be an "instrument of peace." – Rappler.com
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