"Don't use 'Muslim' word in vain" — Army general

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An Army general yesterday appealed to the public and the media to refrain from using the word "Muslim" in vain or to connect it derogatively to any person or faith.

Major General Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said he has noted that the word "Muslim" is often used to describe crime suspects.

"This is a form of social discrimination by using hasty generalization affecting the beliefs, emotions, behavior, opinion, and attitude about our Muslim brothers," Aying said.

He said the word "Muslim" is a sacred word for our Muslim brothers. "The word describes a person who follows or practices Islam as a religion," he said.

Aying called on the public, especially the media, to be responsible and sensitive enough to know and understand, what they publish, in order not to build a social divide and misunderstanding, among Filipinos.

He said the Army, various law enforcement agencies, national government, non-government organizations, government agencies, civil society organizations, different religious sectors, other sectoral organizations, including the media and the community, help build a nation within the premise of peace and development, and not by social discrimination and insensitivity.

"We should all learn how to understand, respect, tolerate, co-exist and live interdependently as a nation and as a people," Aying added. (FREEMAN)