MANILA - Muslim spiritual leaders, or ulamas, on Tuesday appealed to journalists to guard against racism in reporting the abduction of Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott, and urged them not to use the terms "Islamic militants" or "Muslim terrorists" in describing his alleged kidnappers. 

"We call on the media to exercise vigilance against maligning the name of Islam by employing emotionally- and politically-charged terms such as 'Islamic militants' and 'Muslim terrorists' in reference to the abductors of Fr. Sinnott. This serves only to widen the rift especially between Muslims and our brothers, the Christians, and perpetuate hatred and misunderstanding," the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP) and Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) said in a joint statement released on Tuesday.

"Whilst we similarly condemn these acts of harassment against Islam, we are cognizant and highly appreciative of a tradition held in media practice which in nature is remarkably Islamic---that of actively and courageously speaking out against injustices in the preservation of the integrity of the Ummah or the larger community, one that derives its strength from finding unity in diversity," they said. 

Sinnott, 79, of the Missionary Society of St. Columban was seized from a convent in Pagadian City on October 11 by still unknown perpetrators.

Several armed groups are known to be operating in Pagadian City and in the Zamboanga peninsula, including the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf and the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The military earlier tagged a certain Guingona Samal, alias Kumander Inggo, supposedly of the MILF, as one of the suspects in the kidnapping. But MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said Samal is not connected with the group and is not responsible for the kidnapping.

The NUCP and PCID joined in the condemning of Sinnott's abduction.

"We condemn this act as violently opposed to the tenets of Islam and Christianity as well as of a diversity of other faiths which have actively promoted good deeds towards one’s neighbors, and, further, a departure from the long tradition of tolerance, compassion and goodwill held in common by these faiths. As we call on the perpetrators for the immediate and unconditional release of Fr. Michael Sinnot unharmed, we likewise call on the members of the society to see the urgent need for sustained dialogue among its diverse members in light of this recurring incidence of abduction of civilians," they said. -- by Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak