Philippines troops, Muslim rebels clash

-- Separatist conflict in the southern Philippines has claimed more than 120,000 lives over the last four decades. The Muslim minority in the south is largely located on the western and central part of the island of Mindanao, where there are cities with large Christian populations. About 20 percent of the region's 18 million people are believed to be Muslim.

 -- The Muslim separatist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) started fighting for an independent Moro nation in 1968. The colonial Spanish term for followers of Islam, "Moro" or "moors", had been reclaimed by Filipino Muslims. It highlights the country's pre-Christian national identity
-- Islam predates Christianity's 16th-century arrival by a few centuries.

-- Abu Sayyaf Group - The Abu Sayyaf, which translates as "Bearer of the Sword", was formed in 1991, when it split from the MNLF. It is the smallest Filipino militant group, with around 300 core fighters. Fighting for an independent Islamic nation in the Philippines, it is thought to have stronger international ties than the other Philippine groups.

Although the Malaysian constitution theoretically guarantees religious freedom, in practice the situation is restricted. Additionally, all non-Muslims who marry a Muslim must renounce their religion and convert to Islam. Meanwhile, non-Muslims experience restrictions in activities such as construction of religious buildings and the celebration of certain religious events in some states.[65][66] Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah courts when it comes to matters concerning their religion. The jurisdiction of Syariah court is limited only to Muslims over matters of Faith and Obligations as a Muslim, which includesmarriage, inheritance, apostasy, religious conversion , and custody among others. No other criminal or civil offenses are under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts, which have a similar hierarchy to theCivil Courts . Despite being the supreme courts of the land, the Civil Courts (including the Federal Court, the highest court in Malaysia) in principle cannot overrule any decision made by the Syariah Courts; and presently are reluctant to preside over cases involving Islam in any nature or question or challenge the authority of the Syariah courts. This has caused notable problems, particularly involving civil cases between Muslims and non-Muslims, in which civil courts have ordered non-Muslims to seek recourse from the Syariah Courts.