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A link to Dialogue and Peace

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Harmony Prayer – French version

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Harmony Prayer in French Version

PRIERE POUR L’HARMONIE

Seigneur, je te supplie en faveur de la paix :
Purifie mes yeux pour que je puisse voir la paix,
Purifie mon esprit pour que je puisse
Comprendre la paix,
Purifie mon cœur pour que je puisse aimer la paix,
Purifie ma mémoire pour que je puisse travailler
pour la paix : Cette paix qui vient de ton amour
et de ta miséricorde.

Seigneur, soutiens mon regard de paix, en suivant ce
que tu m’inspires.
Tu as bien des manières de révéler ta présence
Et ton amour pour l’humanité :
Mais ton style est toujours le même:
entrer en dialogue avec tous, prendre soin de tous.

Seigneur, fais que je sois un signe de ta paix :
Que je vive le dialogue avec toi pour comprendre ton
silence et chercher ta présence,
Que je sois en dialogue avec moi-même
pour découvrir le sens de ma vie,
Que je vive le dialogue avec mon prochain pour
avancer dans l’harmonie avec tous,
Que je sois en dialogue avec la création pour
prendre soin de la terre.

Seigneur, au milieu des divisions et des conflits,
donne-moi le courage de vivre en dialogue
Et de construire la paix avec toutes les personnes
de bonne volonté Qui croient en ton amour
et en ta miséricorde.

Harmony Prayer – Dutch version

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HARMONY PRAYER IN DUTCH VERSION

Gebed voor Harmonie

Oh Heer, ik roep om vrede.

Zuiver mijn ogen om vrede te zien,

Zuiver mijn verstand om vrede te begrijpen,

Zuiver mijn hart om vrede lief te hebben,

Zuiver mijn herinnering om voor vrede te werken,

De vrede die komt van Uw liefde en barmhartigheid.

Oh Heer, steun mijn visioen van vrede,

In de voetstappen van Uw inspiratie,

U heeft vele wegen om Uw aanwezigheid en liefde voor de mensheid te tonen,

Maar Uw wijze is standvastig,

U bent in dialoog met iedereen,

U geeft om iedereen.

Maak mij, oh Heer, een teken van Uw vrede,

Levend in dialoog met U,

Om Uw stilte te begrijpen,

En Uw aanwezigheid te zoeken;

In dialoog met mijzelf,

Om de betekenis van mijn leven opnieuw te ontdekken;

In dialoog met anderen,

Om op weg te gaan in onderlinge harmonie;

En in dialoog met de schepping,

Om zorg te dragen voor de aarde.

Geef mij, Oh Heer,

De moed om te leven in dialoog,

Te midden van verdeeldheid en conflict,

Om vrede te bouwen met alle mensen oprecht van hart,

Die geloven in Uw liefde en barmhartigheid.

Amen

Harmony Prayer – English version

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Harmony Prayer in English Version

O Lord, I cry for peace,
Purify my eyes to see peace,
Purify my mind to understand peace,
Purify my heart to love peace,
Purify my memory to work for peace;
The peace that comes from Your
love and compassion.

O Lord, sustain my vision of peace
following your inspiration,
You have many ways of revealing Your
presence and love for humanity,
But Your style is constant:
You are in dialogue with all,
You care for all.

Make me, O Lord, a sign of Your peace,
Living a life-in-dialogue with You
to understand Your silence
and seek Your presence;
In dialogue with myself
to rediscover the meaning of my life;
In dialogue with others
to move together in harmony with all;
And in dialogue with creation to
care for the earth.

Give me, O Lord, the courage to live in dialogue
in the midst of divisions and conflicts
and to build peace with all people
of sincere hearts who believe
in Your love and compassion.

Amen.

Harmony Prayer – Bahasa version

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Doa Mohon Kerukunan

Ya Tuhan, saya berseru memohon damai,
Murnikanlah mata ku untuk dapat melihat damai,
Murnikanlah pikiran ku untuk dapat mengerti damai,
Murnikanlah hati ku untuk untuk mencintai damai,
Murnikanlah ingatan ku untuk bekerja mengusahakan damai;
Damai yang datang dari cinta dan belas kasih-Mu.
Ya Tuhan, topanglah pandangan damai ku
Mengikuti inspirasi-Mu,
dengan berbagai cara Engkau menyatakan
kehadiran dan cinta-Mu untuk umat manusia,
Tapi gaya-Mu tetap sama:
Engkau berdialog dengan semua ciptaan, Engkau memelihara semuanya.
Jadikanlah saya, sebagai tanda damai-Mu
Hidup dalam dialog dengan Engkau
untuk mengerti keheningan-Mu
dan mencari kehadiran-Mu;
dalam dialog dengan diriku sendiri
untuk menemukan kembali makna hidupku;
dalam dialog dengan sesama
melangkah bersama dalam kerukunan dengan semua orang;
Dan dalam dialog dengan dunia
untuk memelihara dunia,
Berilah aku ya Tuhan,
Keberanian untuk hidup dalam dialog
Ditengah-tengah perpecahan dan berbagai konflik
serta membangun damai dengan semua orang
yang tulus hati serta percaya
akan cinta dan belas kasih-Mu.

Amen

Harmony Prayer-Filipino Version

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HARMONY PRAYER

O Panginoon,idulot mo sa akin ang kapayapaan
Dalisayin mo ang aking paningin upang masumpungan ko ang kapayapaan
Dalisayin mo ang aking isip upang maunawaan ko ang kapayapaan
Dalisayin mo ang aking puso upang magmahal ako sa kapayapaan
Dalisayin mo ang aking kamalayan upang makisangkot sa kapayapaan
Ang kapayapan na bumubukal sa iyong pag-ibig at habag.

O Panginoon patatagin mo ang aking pananalig sa kapayapaan
Na nagmumula sa iyong kalooban
Iba-iba man ang anyo ng iyong pagpapahayag ng sarili
At pag-ibig sa sangkatauhan
Isang bagay ang nananatili ang iyong walang maliw na pakikinig sa bawat isa,
Sa lahat na walang itinatangi.

O Panginoon, gawin mo akong tanda ng iyong kapayapaan
Isang buhay na nakikiisa sa Iyo
Upang maunawaan ang iyong karunungan sa katahimikan
At makadaop-palad ka sa iyong pag-iral
Isang buhay na kinikilala ang sarili
Upang patuloy na masumpungan ang kahulugan ng aking buhay
Isang buhay na nakiki-ugnay sa kapwa upang sila ay maging aking katuwang
At kaisa sa pagpapayabong ng buhay
Isang buhay na nagpapahalaga sa kalikasan upang kalingain ang sanlibutan.
O Panginoon, pagkalooban Mo ako ng lakas ng loob
Upang mabuhay sa kahalagahan ng pakikipagkaisa at pakikipagkasundo
Sa gitna ng mga pagkakawatak-watak at mga hindi pagkakaunawaan.
Ang maitaguyod ang kapayapaan sa piling ng mga tao
Nang may katapatan at pananalig sa iyong pag-ibig at habag.

Amen.

WIHW-Manila

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MINISTRY FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

Silsilah Forum Manila

Day 3 Activity: World Interfaith Harmony Week 2017

 

On February 3, 2017 during the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2017 the Ministry for Interreligious Dialogue, Quiapo Church in collaboration with the Uniharmony Partner’s Manila organized the Seminar-Workshop on “The Love, Mercy and Compassion Across the Faith Traditions: Religions and the Millenials” that started from  1:00 pm-4:30 pm, at the 4th Flr. Buenaventura Garcia Paredez, O.P. Building, University of Santo Tomas, Espanya, Manila.

The main objective of this activity is to appraise the relevancy of religion in their own context as youth base on their perception of their own religion, on their perception of other religions, and the same time, to articulate their understanding and appreciation of interreligious dialogue.

There are more than a hundred attended the activity but most of the participants are coming from the SilPeace Clubs under the Ministry which come from the Manuel Luis Quezon University and Ramon Avancena High School.  Some schools like the Nazarene Catholic School, University of Santo Tomas, and the Fo Guang Shan College do also sent their representatives.

The First part of the activity is of course started by the “Harmony Prayer” led by Mr. Carl Anrie Romero Franco and Mr. Jonathan Wahab, the SilPeace Club presidents of MLQU and RAHS. Then, the opening remarks was given by Dr. Lilian Sison, the director of the International Studies in the UST.

After that, the different panels were introduced to give some inputs about the basic tenet of each religion represented such as: Rev. Fr. Carlos Reyes, for the Roman Catholic, Dr. Potre Diampuan, for the Islam, Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani, from the Hinduism and Ven. Mioa Jin, from the Buddhist. The sharing of each panel were very concise and enlightening to the younger generation to understand other religions and the challenges being confronted in the interreligious dialogue efforts.

Further, right after the short inputs presented by the four panels (we) the organizer have proceeded to the workshop wherein the participants were divided into several groups for the group sharing, and at the same time, to make a symbol of peace afterwards that represents each group. It’s a worthwhile experience then to see the participants really enjoyed and learned something from the simple activity prepared for them.

At the end of the workshop Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector and parish priest of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene was then called to give his closing remarks that challenges all the youth to become more active in promoting peace base on the theme of the WIHW 2017 which is to celebrate life in the spirit of Mercy and Compassion.

The List of Zamboanga City Partners of the WIHW 2017

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The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners- Zamboanga 
(UNI-HP-Z) 2017 are the following: (in alphabetical order)

♦ Ateneo De Zamboanga University – Ateneo Peace Institute
♦ Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Region IX
♦ Commission on Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga
♦ Department of Education (DepEd) – Zamboanga City Division
♦ Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Region IX
♦ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Region IX
♦ Federacion del maga Barangay Kagawad de Zamboanga (FeBarKaZa)

♦ Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School
♦ Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates Inc.
♦ Inter-Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL)
♦ National Commission on Indigenous People – Zamboanga City Office
♦ National Commission on Muslim Filipinos – Region IX (NCMF-R-IX)
♦ Philippine Commission on Human Rights –Region IX (PCHR-9)
♦ Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office – Region IX
♦ Philippine Red Cross – Zamboanga City Chapter
♦ Responsible Union of Empowered Drivers Association (RUEDA)
♦ Rotary Club – Zamboanga
♦ Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM)
♦ Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA)
♦ Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ)
♦ West Metro Medical Center
♦ Western Mindanao State University – Peace and Human Security Institute
♦ Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce Industry Foundation, Inc.
♦ Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC)
♦ Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC)
♦ Zamboanga City’s Interfaith Council
♦ Zamboanga Market Stall Operators
♦ Zamboanga Press Club
♦ Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST)

WIHW-Iligan City

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DIALOGUE & PEACE FORUM

Silsilah Forum Iligan together with the St. Michaels Cathedral Parish Apostolates and Ministries, headed by Sr. Bing Borromeo, MSM spearheaded the Dialogue & Peace Forum last February 5, 2017 at the Cathedral Conference Hall. The event was participated by catechists, lay ministers, diocesan youth, religious nuns and some friends.

The activity started by praying the Harmony Prayer Song . Right after, Sr. Bing explained the rationale behind the activity while Liezl Neri, the forum coordinator, gave a background of World Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration.

The participants praying the harmony prayer

The video, “Silsilah: A Link to the Almighty” was shown and captured the interest of the participants. Then, selected members of the forum, Elmer Palahang, Ludivina Lagrio, Seddik  Magadapa, Nassareen Macarambon & Liezl Neri , shared their  Silsilah journey and their stories of life in dialogue.  Of course, there was an open forum wherein the participants were given time to ask questions. Others shared their reflections and personal experiences, also.

 

Ms. Jorelien Tupag, a diocesan catechist who is very much active in promoting dialogue and peace, also shared her experiences during the activity.

The activity ended with an overwhelming response from the participants. And they’re looking forward to having future collaborations with Silsilah because they saw the need of a Dialogue and Peace Forum like this.

 

JAIL VISITATION (WOMEN’S CORRECTIONAL)

Last February 7, 2017, Silsilah Forum Iligan in partnership with the Handmaids of the Lord Prison Ministry conducted a psycho-social activity to address the psycho-emotional and spiritual needs of the inmates.

World Interfaith Harmony Week 2017 “Celebrating Life in the Spirit of Mercy & Compassion” Silsilah Forum-Iligan in partnership with the Handmaids of the Lord Prison Ministry Jail Visitation (Women’s Correctional)

The activity was attended by Iligan City Jail women detainees, including volunteers. We started the activity by praying the Harmony Prayer. Then Ma’am Beth Mogato, Handmaids of the Lord leader, introduced us. Then there was an introduction of what the World Interfaith Harmony Week is all about. Afterwards, the women inmates were given focus group discussion activity wherein they’re asked to draw two objects that represent their lives before and now. Right after, they’re are asked individually to explain the objects on their drawings. You can’t help but be emotional of their beautiful sharing. The activity was able to integrate their personal experiences with God who continually dialogue Himself  to them through their circumstances and life experiences inside the prison cell.  They’re able to gain hope and peace of mind for the future.

The lady inmates of Iligan City Jail actively participated during the prayer.

WIHW-Cagayan de Oro City

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Cagayan de Oro Celebrates World Interfaith Harmony Week 2017

Members of the Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity enjoined the ecumenical Prayer Service hosted by the United Church of Christ of the Philippines in celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week

The World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) was celebrated in Cagayan de Oro last 1st week of February of this year with the theme, “Celebrating Harmony in the Spirit of Mercy and Compassion.” This week-long celebration is a Resolution 65/5 proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on October 20, 2010 that every first week of February is the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs. Hence, we are all encouraged to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Thus, there is a need to re-affirms that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.

To promote harmonious relationship and better understanding between and among people of the different living faiths, the Interfaith Forum for Peace Harmony and Solidarity whose members are UCCP Pastors, AFP Chaplain(Methodist), IFI priests, Roman Catholic Priests-Nuns & Lays, Imams and Ustadj of the Muslim community, IP-Higaunon of Dansolihon, Campus Ministries and Peace Projects of Xavier University, Students of XU Sira’j Muslim Religious Organizations and Muslim Youth Council conducted series of activities in Cagayan de Oro City.  The first day of the week-long celebration was graced by an ecumenical prayer service hosted by Senior Minister Reverend Ricardo Yañez Jr of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines – Cagayan de Oro. Each Church representative was assigned to specific intentions to pray for. But prior to the prayer, Archbishop Antonio J Ledesma, SJ DD of the Roman Catholic Church gave the introduction and the rationale of the said celebration. After which, Fr. Vic Arellano of Igelsia Filipina Independiente expressed his prayer intention for solidarity and unity in the midst of divisions, confusions and conflicts not only in Mindanao but to the entire inhabitants of the world. Thus it is imperative that one has to be concern with the other notwithstanding each other differences. In the same manner, AFP Chaplain of the Methodist Pastor Eduardo Copliting expressed also his prayer intention for the peace processes in Mindanao to push through in spite and despite of the very challenging situations right now between the GRP-NDF and the Bangsamoro people. Ustadj Edris Salic of the Muslim community here in Cagayan de Oro conveyed his prayer intention for world peace especially of the many innocent lives that died in the name of war and armed conflicts in the Middle Eastern part of the world. Nevertheless, Gail dela Rita of Xavier University and Pastor Goel Bagundol of UCCP conveyed their intercessory prayer for the care of the environment and to engage in all forms in the disaster risks reduction management especially that Cagayan de Oro had experienced an unexpected flooding two months ago.

Last February 3, our Muslim brothers and sisters of the Oro Jamaah Mosque in Cogon open its doors in welcoming the religious sisters and catechists of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and some UCCP Pastors headed by Pastor Ricardo Yañez for the Muslim Friday Dohor or noon prayer observance. After the prayer, Ustadj Anas shared something on the beauty and richness of Islam as well as its commonality with the Christian faith.  He said that there are only substantial commonalities than differences. Hence, religious tolerance, mutual acceptance, appreciation, respect must prevail since we only have one God though called in different names.

On the other hand, the Sira’j Muslim Religious Organization of Xavier University spearheaded a symposium dubbed as Ummah 2.0 bearing the theme: ‘Enlightening the Youth and Reviving the Imaan (aka Faith). The said symposium was attended by  some Muslim students form other schools and university in Cagayan de Oro City. One of the remarkable topics that were discussed was the true essence of Jihad that a Muslim and Non-Muslim should know particularly the great Jihad by Atty. Hamid Barra, former co-convenor of the Bishops-Ulama Conference. Some emerging and prevalent issues were also tackled by the distinguished speakers. Moreover, challenge the Muslim youth in Cagayan de Oro to get involve in promoting a culture of peace and dialogue with their fellow youth so as to create more spaces for mutual understanding and respect with one another and the “otherness” of the others.

Lastly, the WIHW concluded its activity in the Pamumulakaw-Panulak ta Wahig last March 4, 2017. This is an annual ritual of the Higaunon Tribal communities in Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City in order to give thanks, to say sorry and protection from the dwellers (guardians) of the Cagayan de Oro river to never again experience the 6-years ago tragedy (Sendong) that Kagay-anons could not forget. In this gathering were the people in Brgy Nangka, Libona Bukidnon, the members of the Interfaith Forum, XU Year of Service Volunteers, XU Socio-Anthro Dept., members from SACDO, Parishioners of Barra, Opol, Columban priests, seminarians and lay missionaries from Tonga, Fiji and Peru witnessed and participated during the celebration. The ritual was also graced by the simultaneous prayers of the Baylan (Datu), Priest and Pastor during the pamatbat (incantation). This IP ritual reminded us of our responsibility to be a true steward of God, Bathala or Allah’s creation.

Another Breakthrough in Dialogue!-Davao City

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Silsilah Forum Davao in partnership with Ateneo de Davao University and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia sponsored the opening program of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2017 last February 1 at the Finster Auditorium of AdDU between 1:30 – 6:00 PM.

The event titled World Interfaith Harmony Week an Atmosphere to Dialogue has this year’s theme: “Celebrating Harmony in the spirit of Mercy and Compassion“. The program was formally opened with the Interfaith Prayer followed by the singing of the national anthem of the Philippines and that of Indonesia. The welcome address was delivered by Fr. Archimedes Lachica, SJ on behalf of the Ateneo de Davao University President, Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ.

For introduction, Silsilah Forum Davao Christian Coordinator Fr. Hermes “Larry” B. Sabud, SM with Muslim Coordinator Ms. Nor Asiah Madale Adilao gave the rationale for the WIHW, an explanation to the video presentation of the WIHW proposal to the UN General assembly.

The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Berlian Napitupulu gave the inspirational message. Representatives of 4 religious groups comprised the Panel of Discussants: Alencio Yap, representative of Rev. Neng Zhen of Buddhism; Abp Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla of the

Bishops-Ulama Conference for Christianity; Jigtar Singh, Indian priest of the Sikh/Hinduism in Davao City; and Ustadz Mustofa Mardjuki, Islamic scholar from Indonesia.

Mr. Lunar T. Fayloga of the Ateneo de Davao University, the master of Ceremony, arranged the discussion in a cosy face to face conversation setting called pakighinabi in Visayan term. Codiscussants Ms. Lou Q. Solijon, BUC Executive Secretary and Ms. Mercy Tabuclin, College faculty of AdDU led the audience to the Open Forum.

To contribute to the atmosphere of dialogue, cultural presentations were given by the consulate general of Indonesia through Indonesian Dance Performing Arts who exhibited a graceful Peacock Dance and by the PEGSABEKA, an intertribal cultural group of students from the

University of South Eastern Philippines (USEP), Mintal campus who presented a tribal ritual dance depicting the stages of agricultural productions: land preparation, planting, harvesting, hunting game and feasting.

The activity of Personal Commitment to Peace and Harmony was conducted towards the end of the session. Participants pasted their leaf with inscriptions of their commitment to the multicolored canvas where the WIHW logo was printed. As a finale, the Universal Prayer for Harmony was prayed in different languages: English, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic and Visayan. Merienda Cena was served with Filipino and Indonesian delicacies.

The whole program of activities created an atmosphere of dialogue with its informal interactions and photo options. Nature sounds were played as the participants came in to participate in the activities. Silsilah Forum Davao displayed a photo gallery of WIHW initiatives in Davao City in cooperation with the Interfaith Harmony Links from 2013 until 2016. Two hundred ten participants attended the celebration with more than a hundred mainstays while students were arriving and departing at different periods.

WIHW 2017 is another breakthrough of dialogue in Davao City. Even with short time duration for planning and with only three short meetings for the partners, the activity was a success. Without aiming for a prize like that which we have garnered earlier

in 2013, the preparatory committee is thankful for the participation of our peace partners and individuals open to such a celebration. We are encouraged that as a part of Asia our voices and actions are considered significant in the world today. May we continue to create spaces and events with others for dialogue and harmony. As inspired by our Silsilah founder Fr. Sebastiano D’ Ambra, we say Padayon..!