The Moro people is a coined term for the population of Muslims in the Philippines, forming the largest non-Catholic group in the country, and comprising about 5.1% (as of August 2007) of the total Philippine population. There are around 13 Filipino ethnic groups included, and the majority of the ethnic indigenous peoples have converted to the religion of Islam and are now Muslims or Moros; most are the followers of Sunni Islam of Shafi'i madh'hab. The "Moro" term came into use during the Spanish colonial period, drawing upon a term used centuries earlier to refer the Muslims of al-Andalus in southern Spain known as the "Moors" during the Reconquista and applied to the native Muslims within conquered islands. Traditionally, the Filipino Muslims were offended with the term "Moro", for it was taken from the "Moro-Moro" stage plays from the Spanish era, in which Muslims were always depicted as antagonists. In modern history, influential groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) espoused the Moro identity to unify all Muslim groups in the Philippines. This is different from the "Filipino" identity as it was more seen as an epithet to Christian ethnic groups. In addition with the Moro concept represents their distinct Islamic heritage, MNLF leader Nur Misuari clarifies that they are not a part of the majority Filipino society with a slogan "Moro not Filipino" in their struggle for autonomy or independence against the Catholic majority Philippine central government. This is rooted from resistance of the then-Spanish and American rule who forced them to integrate into the modern Philippine republic. The Moro people mostly live in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan. Due to continuous movement of their people since the 16th century until present, Moro communities can be found in all large cities in the Philippines, including Manila, Cebu and Davao. Many Moros also have emigrated to Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei in the last half of the 20th century due to the conflict in the Southern Philippines. Newer communities can be found today in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna in neighbouring Sabah, Malaysia, North Kalimantan in Indonesia, as well in Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei.

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