Baghdad patriarch urges international community to do more to stop ISIS

A Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church has called for people of all religious denominations to stop the spread of the “ISIS cancer” with “a united and strong stance”.

In a statement on Saturday, Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad called “for Muslims and non-Muslim people of goodwill around the world to deal seriously (and) not superficially” with terrorist threats, adding that the patriarch asked the Muslim community to “show the real face of Islam” and confirm that extremism is contrary to their beliefs.

He cited specific excerpts against Christians that he said “constantly” appear in Islamic religious sermons and fatwas — a ruling on a point of Islamic law — and “must be dealt with decisively.”

He added: “Especially, when we know that the majority of Muslims are neutral, open-minded and willing to work hard for the benefit of their countries and their fellow citizens.”

The patriarch said Christians are waiting for governments and religious authorities to work together to “confront and dismantle terrorism and extremism.” Steps to achieve this include reforms in the curricula in schools, which he said is the major source for teaching extremism.