Court allows Misuari trip to Saudi

The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted the motion to travel filed by former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Nur Misuari who was again allowed to leave the country last week to attend the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Misuari, also a former chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, is still facing charges of rebellion for his alleged participation in an uprising in Jolo, Sulu seven years ago.

Makati Executive Judge Winlove Dumayas ordered Misuari to post an additional bail bond of P50,000.

Misuari was allowed to go to Saudi Arabia as personal guest of the King where he will also have a reunion with his family.

The court granted his petition to leave the country from December 4, 2008 to January 4, 2009 to visit the Saudi Arabia.

Misuari filed an urgent motion to travel on December 2, 2008, which was eventually granted based on how he has been returning to the country whenever the court allows him to leave.

Judge Dumayas instructed Misuari to obey all lawful rules and regulations for his travel abroad, recognize at all times the absolute authority and jurisdiction of the Honorable Court over his person and to uphold the conditions it has set.

He was last granted the chance to travel abroad in June 2008 when he asked to be allowed to travel to three Middle Eastern nations for two weeks to meet with some Muslim leaders.

As for his trial, Judge Dumayas said he has already instructed the prosecution to wrap-up its presentation of evidence, which will allow the defense to start presenting theirs.

Misuari will discuss various concerns with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank after he has performed the hajj this week in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The OIC and the IDB, which has various socio-economic projects in impoverished Muslim communities in different countries, are both based in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Ambassador Muhammad Ameen Wali, in a statement, said Misuari is performing the hajj, along with 10 of his constituent-MNLF leaders, on invitation of the Rabitul Alam Al-Islamie, or Muslim World League.    – With John Unson