MANILA- The president of the Imam Council of the Philippines (ICP) on Friday appealed to members of the terrorist Maute group to lay down their arms and revert to the real teachings of Q'uran, which is about love, peace and mercy.

Ebra Minalang Moxsir, also the Muslim chaplain at the Philippine National Police (PNP), issued the appeal following the Maute group's threat of harming all Christians while engaged in firefights with state forces in Marawi City.

"Magkaisa tayo. Let us work hand-in-hand. Dapat magbalik tayo sa Q'uran. Ang turo ng Q'uran ay pagmamahalaan,” he said on the sidelines of the launch of a national prayer movement for peace and healing.

Moxsir described as a "misconception" the Maute group's belief that the Q’uran teaches harm against Christians.

"That is a misconception. Islam is a religion of love, of peace and of mercy. Hindi dapat patayin ang mga Kristiyano," he said.

Just like majority of Filipinos, Muslim residents from Marawi are also fervently praying for the end of the Marawi crisis, he said.

Moxsir also criticized some groups’ proposal to issue a special identification card for Muslims.

He said the ID policy will only be acceptable if it will cover all Filipinos. Requiring only Muslims to carry a special ID will be unfair, he added.

"Nakakalungkot din 'yan dahil nagpo-focus lang tayo sa ating brother Muslims. Kung sa lahat suportado natin, pero kung Muslim lang, hindi... bakit? Kapag Muslim ay terorista na? Lahat ba ng Muslim ay terorista?" he said.

Moxsir meanwhile said he sees good faith in PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa's decision to transfer erring policemen to Marawi City.

Moxsir said police officers who will be transferred to Marawi City will be reformed once they see and experience the hardship of people there.

He added that such move should not be construed as an act of penalty, but an opportunity for them to reform.

Dela Rosa had sent to Marawi City two Mandaluyong police officers caught on video hitting civilians with wooden sticks as punishment for a curfew violation.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had criticized Dela Rosa's order, saying Marawi City deserves the best police officers.