Muslims, Pinoys urged not to ignore ISIS

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday urged all Filipinos, including Muslims, not to ignore the cruel acts of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In a message in observance of Eid’l Adha, Binay said the feast is a celebration of the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of submission to God’s command.

“We must not condone the barbaric acts of the ISIS and other extremist groups who represent a distorted view of Islam, but instead work to promote interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance,” Binay said.

He said his family joins all Muslims in commemorating Ibrahim through the Feast of Sacrifice.

“And just as Ibrahim affirmed supreme faith in and obedience to God through his willingness to sacrifice his son, let us also affirm our solidarity in pursuing peace and progress by rejecting those who seek to sow only terror and discord in the name of religion,” Binay said.

He added that the Feast of Sacrifice “also reminds us of the virtue of charity.”

“May our hearts always be open to share our blessings to our less fortunate brothers and sisters, especially our kababayans affected by natural calamities,” he said.

End of sacrifice

Meanwhile, presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles said yesterday said the Filipino people’s continued collective effort and sacrifices in the pursuit of peace is bearing fruit.