Programme

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.

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.

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

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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

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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