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Harmony Prayer – Maguindanao Version

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Harmony Prayer in Maguindanaon Version

Harmony Prayer

O Kadnan, Pangingarap ako sa kalilintad,
Suti ka su manga mata ko sa mailay nin su kalilintad
Suti ka su itungan ko sa katuntayan nin su kalilintad,
Suti ka su pusong ko sa malini sa kalilintad,
Suti ka su paham ko sa makanggalbek para sa kalilintad,
Su kalilintad a ebpun sa
lilini endu limu nengka. O Kadnan, tatap ka su kanggalbek ko sa kalilintad
A munut kano panduwan nengka,
Kaaden nengka endu su lilini nengka kanu langunu manusiya,
Ugayd na su ukit nengka na talatantu:
Seka i  bamitiyala kano langun,
Seka I pedtuganul kano langun. Baluy ako O Kadnan, a tanda nu leka a kalilintad,
Maguyag sa uyag a kambitiyala salka
Sa katuntayan su kabpelenek nengka;
Endu bangeni kano kaaden nengka;
Sa kambitiyala ped su ginawa ko
Sa matun ko su kahanda no kauyag uyag ko;
Kambitiyala sa salakaw
Sa sumangul langun sa malilini kano madakel;
Endu su kambitiyala kano kinaaden
Sa kapalihala para sa kano dunya. Enggaya ko, O Kadnan,
Sa bagel a maguyag siya kano kambitiyala
Kani niya a timpu a mimbida-bida endu di bamagayun
Endu maaden su kalilintad kano langunu manga taw
A itagu nilan sa ginawa I silan antu na baginugut
Kanu lilini endu limu nengka, Amen.

Harmony Prayer-Maranao Version

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Harmony Prayer in Maranao Version

 

ROYOD A PANGNI
Ya Allah, Pamangni ako sa kalilintad,
Limpiyo ingka so mata kun anakun kasaboti so kalilintad,
Limpiyo ingka so pamikiran akun anakun kasaboti so kalilintad,
Limpiyo ingka so puso akun anakun kababayai so kalilintad,
Limpiyo ingka so kapamimikiran akun anako makanggalebak ko kalilintad,
So kalilintad a poon ko kababaya ago gagaongka.

Ya allah, tabangi akongka sa kitataros akun
Ko dikinggolalanun ko kalilintad,
Madakul ka okit a pakimasaan so kasisiingka ago
So gagaongka ko manga manosya
Ogaid na so olaolangka na da kasambii.
Ya allah, kasabutan ka so lango-langon,
Pukasabotan ka ago dikamingka ipundarainon.

Baloyakongka ya Allah, a lagiyawan o kalilintad,
Anakun kamasai ago magudam so kasisiningka
Ago anakun mangguda-gudaso maana o kasisii akun sa donya.
Adun maguda o langon a sisii sa donya so kapakasisinabota,
Ago sii ko langon a kaadun sa donya adun iran
Mapagtig angkaya kakadunan tano a donya.

Bugi akongka ya Allah, sa bagher a
Makakadun ko darpa a madakul a ragaor,
Ago bugi akongka sa bagher ago sarig a
Makabugay sa kalilintad ko manga
Manosya a malaon so paratiyaya ko
Gagao ago kapudi ka, Ya Allah.

Amen.

Harmony Chain Initiative

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This is a special interfaith initiative of meditation and prayer for dialogue and peace from Mindanao to the world. It is a spiritual chain of peoples of different cultures and religions responding to God’s dialogue with humanity to sustain our cry for peace. When the Philippine Government through then President Joseph Estrada declared “total war” in Mindanao in the year 2000 as a solution to the Moro problem, the Movement’s quiet response was expressed in the slogan “Cry Peace with Your Life-in-Dialogue.The Harmony Prayer Initiative is: AN INTER-FAITH INITIATIVE OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE. A SPIRITUAL CHAIN OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND RELIGIONS. A RESPONSE TO GOD’S DIALOGUE WITH HUMANITY TO SUSTAIN OUR CRY FOR PEACE.

        Individuals, groups, and communities from different religions within and outside the country can become part of this “chain” by committing to specific time of the day to meditate or pray for peace. The goal is that every moment of the 24 hours of the day, some persons, groups or communities all over the world are united in prayer for peace. The much needed impetus came when a director and a coordinator volunteered to give full time on this activity. At present, the membership has grown from local to international level and regular communication and links are maintained through its monthly newsletter “IN-TOUCH” and “ Legame di Pace” (in Italian).

The Silsilah Dialogue Movement promotes and pursues dialogue and it recognizes four pillars of dialogue: with God, with the self, with others and with creation. But what is dialogue with God but prayer?

The different religious traditions that we follow may have taught us different ways of praying. Nevertheless we all understand that prayer is our spoken or unspoken address to God, to praise Him, to give Him thanks and to petition Him for help in our need.

                When we pray and when we know that others too are praying with us we are strengthened in our heart and soul. It is very heartwarming to know that someone who may be praying what I am praying but in another language, is addressing God as I am. I not only bond with God but also those who I know are praying the same prayer that I am praying. This is the rationale for the Harmony Chain Initiative.

WIHW-Zamboanga City

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The theme for the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 is

” Celebrating the Transforming Power of Love of God and Love of Neighbor for the common good”

The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners-Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z) with the Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM) as the leading group will celebrate the 5th year of the World Interfaith Harmony Week with the theme: “Celebrating Life in the Spirit of Mercy and Compassion”.

The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners- Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z)

Partners are groups or institutions willing to be part of the WIHW promising to offer any possible form of support and involvement. Each partner can be represented by three persons as members to represent their own group.

Associate Members are those individuals willing to be part of the WIHW and fill up our application forms.

The goals of the group are:

Maintain alive the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony
Week and;
Develop harmony and solidarity among partners
and associate members.

Each of the partner group is free to continue pursuing its own objectives as a group but will work with other partners in implementing activities for the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration every year.

Funding of the activities undertaken during the World Interfaith Harmony Week is the responsibility of each sponsoring group, unless explicitly agreed by the partners to have a different setup.

Silsilah Dialogue Movement is in charge of the UN I-HP– Z

Represented by :

♦ Convenor- Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra , PIME
♦ Christian Coordinator – Atty. Arsenio L. Gonzalez, Jr.
♦ Muslim Coordinator – Atty. Moh. Taha S. Arakama
♦ Secretary – Elizabeth L. Solis, EDC

Harmony Post Jolo, Sulu

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SILSILAH IN JOLO TO REBUILD HOPE

Jolo has a long history.  It is in the Southern part of the Philippines along the Sulu Sea going toward Borneo and Indonesia. It was in that area that Islam   arrived in 1380 and Jolo was the center of the first Sultanate organized in the peninsula before the arrival of the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. In more recent times, Jolo became the center of the movement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a revolutionary movement that emerged in 1972. The sultanate of Jolo still now claims part of Borneo offered to Jolo then in the past.  These important events in the history of Jolo brought us to reflect: What is happening to Jolo now?

Many attribute this situation to the presence of the Abu Sayyaf and new groups similar to Abu Sayyaf, others to the strong polarization of power in the hands of a few, others also to a strong presence of radical groups. I believe all these elements are contributing to make Jolo today a difficult place for all, especially for the Christians who, before, reached   10% of the population maintaining good relations among Muslims and Christians. But now the Christians are only 1% over a population of more than two hundred thousand. The Catholic cathedral is always guarded by the military and the Christians now are the favorite targets of bad elements. For this reason the Christians are leaving Jolo. This situation makes good Muslims in Jolo   ashamed because  it was not this way before. Muslims, Christians and Chinese in Jolo used to respect each other. Now, even good Muslim families who wish to live peacefully are leaving Jolo or have their houses also in Zamboanga City or other parts of the country.

I was there a few days ago to meet the alumni of Silsilah. During my visit, I went to   the capitol where the Silsilah Forum built a Harmony Post ten years ago as a sign of hope and harmony in Jolo.  I also went to pray in the cathedral where in the little garden inside the fence of the church, there is the tomb of Bishop Ben de Jesus, killed in front of the church in 1997. He was a friend and an alumnus of Silsilah. When he was elected bishop of Jolo, he came to see me and asked to attend the Silsilah courses to be ready to face the reality of Jolo. The memory of Bishop Ben is still alive in the hearts of many Christians and Muslims in Jolo; he was loved by the people. During this last visit to Jolo, I also visited the victims of the recent fire in one area.  It was a big fire that affected more than three thousand   families.

I went to Jolo to share solidarity and to meet especially the leaders of the Silsilah Core group of Jolo. More than twenty arrived and it was a long sharing. I listened to painful stories, but also joyful ones and I realized that there is still hope and commitment in the midst of the reality of Jolo.   One experience that touched me most was the sharing of a young Muslim teacher who said: “ I  teach in a rural area near Jolo and  often  we hear   bombing in the near  area.  The children are afraid, but also we teachers are afraid”. Another said: “For us bombing is becoming familiar in Jolo.”

After listening to these and other stories with many details I asked the group: “What do you do in this situation?”Many suggestions came up from their sharing.  They are determined to be more active and united. They also suggested to reopen the Silsilah Center in Jolo, and also to have   training on trauma healing, things that we have done in the past to help. They also suggested to  restart  the formation for Madaris gurus, the teachers of Islamic  schools, and  for the Catechists, for  the Christian teaching and  also to reactivate  the group of the  Inter faith  Council of Leaders. 

These and other sharing made me realize that the spirit of dialogue is still alive there, like the fire under the ashes that needs to be reactivated and  we decided to  do all that is  possible. In fact soon, we will re-open the Silsilah Center in the center of the city, a place offered by the bishop of Jolo. I saw the coordinators of the Silsilah Forum Jolo.

We never stop to hope in Silsilah. We will reactivate the presence of Silsilah in Jolo in spite of the alarming news that make us realize that Silsilah is indeed called to move “with hope in the midst of divisions and conflicts.”o regaining courage.

 

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME
Founder, Silsilah Dialogue Movement

Harmony Post at RT Lim Boulevard in Zamboanga City

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Harmony Post unveiled last June 12, 2011 at the R.T. Lim Boulevard in Zamboanga City

Harmony Post unveiled last June 12, 2011 at the R.T. Lim Boulevard in Zamboanga City during the 10th year anniversary of IFCL-Zamboanga City. Unveiled by the City Mayor of Zamboanga, Hon. Celso Lobregat together with the 1st District Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Climaco.

It was September 09, 2013, when Zamboanga City came under attack by a rebel group present in Mindanao, the Moro National Liberation Front. Many people died and hundreds of families were forced to abandon their own houses due to the conflict and war between the MNLF and the government forces.

Families and civilians of the city affected by the conflict have been relocated to the San Joaquin Sports Complex or the grandstand of the city. Other families and civilians were forced to build temporary shelters and tents along the streets and shore of R.T. Lim Boulevard.

 

The Harmony Post at the boulevard, erected by the Inter Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL) of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement is the witness to the sufferings of the people who were directly affected by the siege. Eventually it became an ordinary post that supported the tent of a homeless family.

The Harmony Post has witnessed the sufferings of the people and has been there as a reminder to live and promote the culture of dialogue, path to peace.

 

 

WIHW-International

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The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Harmony Post

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Harmony Post

Silsilah Dialogue Movement commemorates special occasions and events in its life by planting harmony posts in public places, as a symbol and reminder that all people, Muslims and Christians, are called and challenged to be men and women of dialogue, harmony and peace. The post prominently carries the greeting “Peace be with you”. This greeting will be also written in Arabic and in the local language of the place where the post will be planted. The message will be: “Moving Together towards a Culture of Dialogue for Harmony, Solidarity and Peace” and ” Let us build a civilization of the common good”.

Rationale:

Dialogue among peoples of different cultures and religions is a sign of the time.

Today the great challenge is to answer to this sign. Some base their answer om economy, development and other needs of society that can help people in the process of globalization.

Silsilah, as a Dialogue Movement, believes in dialogue as an answer to God’s dialogue to humanity and it is committed to promote dialogue starting from the human and spiritual aspirations of people of different cultures and religions.

Thus, Silsilah envisions a life-in-dialogue as a foundation and style of life that guides humanity to a process of harmonization when peoples are challenged to move together with the richness of their own identity.

These are the basic points that’s inspired Silsilah to give a new answer to the need of dialogue promoting the HARMONY POST.

It is a post with a shape of pyramid where in in each of the four sides is indicated the main points of earth: south, north, east, west to remind us that from each part of the world peoples of different cultures and religious are invited to move together a culture of dialogue for harmony, solidarity and peace. In the center part of the post is the Arabic and English greeting: “Peace be with you”. In fact, The HARMONY POST is a sign and a mark to indicate the way of Peace. This sign will remind the need of dialogue inspired by Gods dialogue and by people of different cultures and religions who have lived and died promoting harmony, solidarity and peace as pilgrims in dialogue.

The first HARMONY POST will be placed in the Harmony Village on the occasion of the 5th ULAMA-BISHOP DIALOGUE held in the Oasis of Dialogue, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City, November 8, 1997.

Harmony Chain Initiative

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This is a special interfaith initiative of meditation and prayer for dialogue and peace from Mindanao to the world. It is a spiritual chain of peoples of different cultures and religions responding to God’s dialogue with humanity to sustain our cry for peace. When the Philippine Government through then President Joseph Estrada declared “total war” in Mindanao in the year 2000 as a solution to the Moro problem, the Movement’s quiet response was expressed in the slogan “Cry Peace with Your Life-in-Dialogue.The Harmony Prayer Initiative is: AN INTER-FAITH INITIATIVE OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE. A SPIRITUAL CHAIN OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND RELIGIONS. A RESPONSE TO GOD’S DIALOGUE WITH HUMANITY TO SUSTAIN OUR CRY FOR PEACE.

Individuals, groups, and communities from different religions within and outside the country can become part of this “chain” by committing to specific time of the day to meditate or pray for peace. The goal is that every moment of the 24 hours of the day, some persons, groups or communities all over the world are united in prayer for peace. The much needed impetus came when a director and a coordinator volunteered to give full time on this activity. At present, the membership has grown from local to international level and regular communication and links are maintained through its monthly newsletter “IN-TOUCH” and “ Legame di Pace” (in Italian).

The Silsilah Dialogue Movement promotes and pursues dialogue and it recognizes four pillars of dialogue: with God, with the self, with others and with creation. But what is dialogue with God but prayer?

The different religious traditions that we follow may have taught us different ways of praying. Nevertheless we all understand that prayer is our spoken or unspoken address to God, to praise Him, to give Him thanks and to petition Him for help in our need.

                When we pray and when we know that others too are praying with us we are strengthened in our heart and soul. It is very heartwarming to know that someone who may be praying what I am praying but in another language, is addressing God as I am. I not only bond with God but also those who I know are praying the same prayer that I am praying. This is the rationale for the Harmony Chain Initiative.

WIHW-Philippines

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Encouraging all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world.

WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2017

The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners-Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z) with the Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM) as the leading group will celebrate the 5th year of the World Interfaith Harmony Week with the theme: “Celebrating Life in the Spirit of Mercy and Compassion”.

The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners- Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z)

Partners are groups or institutions willing to be part of the WIHW promising to offer any possible form of support and involvement. Each partner can be represented by three persons as members to represent their own group.

Associate Members are those individuals willing to be part of the WIHW and fill up our application forms.

The goals of the group are:

Maintain alive the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony
Week and;
Develop harmony and solidarity among partners
and associate members.

Each of the partner group is free to continue pursuing its own objectives as a group but will work with other partners in implementing activities for the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration every year.

Funding of the activities undertaken during the World Interfaith Harmony Week is the responsibility of each sponsoring group, unless explicitly agreed by the partners to have a different setup.

Silsilah Dialogue Movement is in charge of the UN I-HP– Z

Represented by :

♦ Convenor- Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra , PIME
♦ Christian Coordinator – Atty. Arsenio L. Gonzalez, Jr.
♦ Muslim Coordinator – Atty. Moh. Taha S. Arakama
♦ Secretary – Elizabeth L. Solis, EDC

Background of the Celebration

The United Nations (UN) Resolution of October 20, 2010 recognized “the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people.” This inspired the Silsilah Dialogue Movement to celebrate the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) every first week of February. The groundbreaking celebration of the WIHW in Zamboanga City commenced in February 2012 and was participated in by different partners and groups.

The response was enthusiastic. With the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP) as the lead group and the Silsilah Dialogue Movement as the Secretariat, several organizations became involved in planning and executing the activities for the celebration set for February 01 to 07, 2012.

The success of the 2012 celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in Zamboanga City was overwhelming and motivating for the groups involved to continue to work together in carrying out future celebrations. The groups in Zamboanga City decided to form a loose association among themselves which they named United Nations Interfaith-Harmony Partners-Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z).

Moreover, Zamboanga City’s 1st District Congressional Representative Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco–Salazar (now the Mayor of Zamboanga City) sponsored a bill in the House enjoining the celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week in the Philippines as encouraged by the UN Resolution. Senator Loren Legarda sponsored a similar version for the Senate.

Both bills passed the respective houses and became a law of the land upon signing by President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Republic Act No. 10525:

“An Act declaring the First Week of February of every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in the entire country and mandating its observance by the different Government Agencies.”

The experience of working together for the 2012 celebration brought the same groups in Zamboanga City to carry out the celebration every year up to now.

The Silsilah Forum in Davao City, the Interfaith Council (IFC) in Basilan and the Interreligious Center of Quiapo Church in Manila which are run by Silsilah, started also to implement activities to celebrate WIHW 2013. The Silsilah Forum Davao reported the activities done and was given honorable mention by the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. The news of this award was relayed to the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines.

The WIHW 2014 celebration brought the Zamboanga Partners led by Silsilah to win the First Prize in the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2014. H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan sponsors the annual WIHW Prize.

In 2016, the UNI HARMONY Partners of Manila formed by many groups and Silsilah, in their initial stage, have received the Second Prize in the World Interfaith Harmony Week International of His Majesty, King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Silsilah continues to serve the UNI-HP-Z as secretariat of the WIHW Zamboanga Partners. At the same time the Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM) is recognized by many as the convener on the National Level for the WIHW starting from the Silsilah Forum groups in Mindanao and in the whole Philippines. Silsilah continues to invite all to celebrate the World Interfaith Harmony Week every year.

The List of Zamboanga City Partners of the WIHW 2017

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)

The Primer (World Interfaith Harmony Week)

What is the “World Interfaith Harmony Week”?

A: The United Nations (UN) on October 20, 2010, recognizing the need for dialogue among different faiths and religions and their contribution for peace in the world, declared the first week of February of every year as “World Interfaith Harmony Week” between all religions, faiths and beliefs. The UN encourages “all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during the week. The celebration is based on the love of God and love of one’s neighbor or on the love of good and love of one’s neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions” (for more info. visit the website – worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com).

Why do we promote this special week?
A: Because we believe in the spirit of this initiative. It unites us with many in the world who are joining together to rediscover and celebrate “Interfaith Harmony” guided by the basic principles or commandments of the love of God, the love of neighbor and the love of the common good. This special week is gaining great attention in the world and it is a sign of hope.

There are already many other initiatives of dialogue and peace, why this new one?
A: The United Nations as an international body realized that there is a need for a specific attention on the “interfaith harmony” guided by the love of God, the love of neighbor, and the love for the common good. This is a move towards a more “spiritual approach to dialogue and peace”. The United Nations is convinced now more than ever that development and peace without “love” cannot be achieved in the world. Thus, it is a new paradigm of dialogue and peace that finds many willing to rediscover and celebrate together “harmony among God’s People”.

Is this celebration for all or only for Muslims/Christians?
A: The United Nations invites all countries and religions to celebrate this interfaith harmony week, including indigenous people and even non- believers. However, in this primer we focus our attention on Muslims / Christians who represent the two largest religions in the world and are the largest presence in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. We are convinced that in the heart of each person, there is a felt need to celebrate the love of God in order to rediscover the love of neighbor in all religions and cultures as part of the human family “linked” to God, as our common Creator.

What about the issues that we need to face in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao related to the recognition of historical rights, poverty and peace?
A: The World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration does not directly face these issues. This is not to ignore them, but we believe that this new approach can bring people closer to one another and motivate them to face together all the issues of society with a “new spirit”. Thus, this celebration is an opportunity to rebuild love, friendship, sincerity, sensitivity and solidarity. In one word, the initiative can create “harmony” starting from our personal faith and belief in life.
It is a spiritual approach to dialogue and peace as an expression of “love”. This is needed today as the foundation of all the issues for a sustainable peace in our society.

Christianity and Islam are two different religious movements; in “celebrating harmony” is it better to emphasize the common points or the differences?
A: The basic principles of interfaith dialogue and harmony among people of different faiths are to approach others with Sincerity, Sensitivity and Solidarity (three S). Thus, the celebration has to be an expression of “sincerity”, guided by “sensitivity” in order to promote “solidarity”. This spirit of dialogue is in order to develop different dimensions and attitudes to take in the spirit of the acronym C.A.R.E: “Courage” in those who are convinced on the importance of interfaith harmony; “Appreciation” of what we have in common; “Respect” of our differences and; “Example” in order to move together guided by the common good of our society.

What can we answer to those who are afraid of this form of dialogue and confuse it with “syncretism” and, as a result, they say that Christians and Muslims are almost the same and one can easily change religion, especially if one finds the change advantageous for one reason or another?
A: No, the mixture of different religious beliefs or syncretism, and the attitude of some who use dialogue in order to convert others is not a genuine dialogue. Dialogue first of all is a spirituality and not a strategy. Real dialogue brings us to love and respect the differences, convinced that dialogue is the attitude of God in creation and in all the manifestations of life where we find commonalities and differences. Love cares for all and respects all.
Real dialogue is expressed in an attitude of love which celebrates the love of God in freedom. Thus, dialogue is an expression of the love which is the “goal” of dialogue and in the process love becomes also the “means” that can bring people to the final goal that is peace on earth and in heaven.

There is always the tendency of the majority religious groups in a country to put down the minority groups; this is also true in the Philippines where in some places Christians are the majority and in some other places Muslims are the majority. What can we do?
A: This is one of the great challenges of today. People of dialogue have to help overcome prejudices and biases among religions and share more about the common good of not only one group or religion, but of society as a whole. If we believe in solidarity, freedom of religion, respect, harmony and peace we can “dream” that time will come when majority and minority will respect and help each other , in Europe, in Arabic countries, in China, and even in the Philippines: in Manila, in Marawi, in Davao, in Jolo, in Zamboanga, in Basilan, etc. This should be borne out of respect based on the fundamental rights of each person and on love, not out of respect based on fear or vested interest.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES For the Weeklong Celebration of WIHW 2017

February 2, 2017 (Thursday)

Symposium on “Religions for Peace”


For the formation of the student leaders, faculty members, parents, and the Barangay Tulungatung Community Leaders

Venue and Partner/s:

Tulungatung National High School Campus, Tulungatung, Zamboanga City
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Sponsored by:
Tulungatung National High School and Silsilah Formation Team

Healthy Body, Heart, and Mind.
Medical Check –up with Random Blood sugar, Cholesterol and Uric Acid

1. Facilitate maintenance of sound and healthy body and mind.

2. Enhance harmony with the self by staying fit and healthy

Venue and Partner/s:

Emmaus Padayon Center, Martha Drive, Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City.
8:30am – 12:00NN
Sponsored by: West Metro Medical Center and Emmaus Dialogue Community

Convergence of Leaders at the Barangay level

1. Educate and inform barangay leaders regarding Children and Women Protection Policies and laws.

2. Reflect and share on the possible ways and means of rehabilitation of drug users / cases

Venue and Parner/s:

Sapphire Hall, Grand Astoria Hotel, Mayor Jaldon St. , Zamboanga City
8:00am -5:00pm
Sponsored by: DILG – Zamboanga and the Interfaith Council of Zamboanga City

February 03, 2017 (Friday)

Silsilah School of Holistic Care

Closing celebration of the Five-Week Silsilah School of Holistic Care.  During this closing activity, the invited guests share experiences and messages to highlight the importance of this school in relation to the WIHW celebration.

Venue and Partner/s:

Crystal Hall, Grand Astoria Hotel, Mayor Jaldon St. , Zamboanga City
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sponsored by: Center for Holistic Health Care of Silsilah Dialogue Movement

Presentation of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in Muslim communities.

To build friendship and harmonious relationships among people of different religions and cultures and encourage all Muslim communities to spread the message of Interfaith Harmony.

Venue and Partner/s:

Muslim Communities, Mosque, Madaris and Alive Teachers are invited during the Friday Prayer or other time of the week  to present the spirit of the WIHW.

Symposium on the Importance of Strong Inter-Religious Faith in the Campus

Commemorate the WIHW 2017 stressing and addressing the importance of Faith in the daily life of individual/students in coping college life.

Venue and Partner/s:

Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST)
10:00am
Sponsored by: ZSCMST

February 5, 2017 (Sunday)

Harmonizing Communities through:
World Interfaith Harmony Prayers and Messages at the Eucharistic Celebration and Services in different Christian Communities

To spread the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) especially on Sunday inviting those present to Christian Celebrations to internalize  the spirit of the WIHW. The Commission on Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga (CIRD –AZ) prepared  guidelines and reflections for the Catholics. Other Christian denominations will also spread the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in their communities.

Venue and Partner/s:

Parishes of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga and other Christian Denominations. Sponsored by: the Commission on Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga (CIRD-AZ) and other Christian Churches

February 6, 2017 (Monday)

Flag Ceremony of various agencies and offices commemorating WIHW

To give attention to the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2017 and to inform the public on the message of “Love of God and Love of Neighbor and the Love of the Common Good” we propose to all sectors of our society to give special attention to this event on February 06, 2017 (Monday).

Venue and Partner/s:

This activity is traditionally sponsored by the Interfaith groups of Zamboanga, schools, and other government institutions.
The ZSCMST on this occasion will have an inter-College Extemporaneous speech competition

Sharing and Bonding with the Elderly

Giving one’s time to care for the old people especially those who were abandoned by their families. To let them feel they are being loved and cared for by others.

Venue and Partner/s:

Home for the Elderly, Talon –Talon, Zamboanga City
9:00am – 11am
Sponsored by: Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Education-Formation for Zamboanga City Jail Male Inmates: “Poster and Slogan Making Contest”

Poster and Slogan Making Contest. These initiative is added to the weekly Formation given in the City Jail by Silsilah. These can give hope, love and courage to the detainees of Zamboanga City Jail.

Venue and Partner/s:

Zamboanga City Jail, Zone I, Valera St., Zamboanga City
9:00am – 11:00am
Sponsored by : Silsilah Peace and Development Services (SPDS)

February 7, 2017 (Tuesday)

Symposium on Harmonizing  Tri–people in the community

a. To foster closer relationship among tri ­– people in the community.

b. To instill awareness on the culture of the tri –people.

c. To create a peaceful tri–people community living harmoniously.

Venue and Partner/s:

Barangay Hall, Sta. Catalina
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Sponsored by: National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and Zamboanga City Police Office-PNP

 Harmony Youth Day

This activity aims to create an avenue for the young people of diverse cultures and religions to come together to experience and establish good relationships and to strengthen the common good between Muslims, Christians and people of other living faiths. “The Love of God and Love of One’s Neighbor” is a ground of understanding for all, engaging the youth in creating a more peaceful world. At the same time this is also a gathering of student leaders coming from different schools, colleges and universities.

Venue and Partner/s:

Royce Convention Center, Grand Astoria Hotel, Mayor Jaldon St., Zamboanga City
2:00pm-5:00pm
Sponsored by: Silpeace Youth (School-Based), DepEd, and CHED.