A link to Dialogue and Peace
Rev. Fr. Danichi Hui
The Interreligious Dialogue Ministry-Quiapo Church in collaboration with the Silsilah Manila observes the 3rd day of the Week of Prayer and Reflection for Harmony and Peace.
Haji Ali Alawi WIHW2021
The Interreligious Dialogue Ministry-Quiapo Church in collaboration with the Silsilah Manila observes the 2nd day of the Week of Prayer and Reflection for Harmony and Peace.
In preparation for the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2021, the UN Interfaith Harmony Partners-Zamboanga met via ZOOM to share some ideas on how to move together and this celebration meaningful in this “new normal” , to strengthen our friendship and to continue to promote the spirit of the WIHW as the leading group in the local and national level.
We hope to do significant activities together with the theme “Celebrating the Spirit of Harmony and Solidarity amidst COVID19
Training-Workshop on Interreligious Dialogue as a Path to Peace
In Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2020
7 February 2020, Villa Lacida, Magoong, Linamon, Lanao del Norte
Session 1. Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace
In line with the WIHW celebration, Ms. Sanguila, the Silsilah Forum Lanao area Coordinator, emphasized the importance of Interreligious Dialogue. She shared her journey with Silsilah and her commitment to promoting Silsilah’s mission. Jamila encouraged the participants to appreciate the beauty of each religions and to propagate acceptance, understanding, and unity in the midst of divisions. In reflection, Jamila told the participants that Silsilah gave her a sense of purpose, direction, and humility. She then discussed Silsilah’s background, the Spirituality of Life-in-Dialogue, the Four Pillars, the conditions to enhance dialogue with the self, the qualities necessary to dialogue with others, and conditions to enhance dialogue with the creation. She also discussed the transformation to dialogue, obstacle to dialogue, and the reasons why we need to dialogue.
Four Pillars of Dialogue
Dialogue with God. Ms. Sanguila started her presentation by saying Silsilah’s quote that, “Dialogue starts from God and brings people back to God.” She explained it by saying, it is our individual conviction that we believed in God, confirming His/Her presence in our lives. He initiated this dialogue to us to get closer to him. God is everywhere. We may not see Him/Her, but He/She is with us always.
Structured activity: Letter to God. The participants were asked to watch a clip entitled, Grace by Laura Story. They were instructed to write down a line that moved/touched them. After the video ended, Jamila asked each one to share their reflection. Eight participants shared their reflection. After this, they were given a coloured paper. Jamila told the participants to use the paper in writing a “Letter to God.” This is a personal letter of appreciation, forgiveness, hope, and devotion. They were given 10 minutes and then the letters were collected and put in a sacred space for offering.
Dialogue with the self. Jamila continued the discussion by sharing her personal understanding on the topic, it is connecting with oneself. Saying hello and checking ourselves is vital. We cannot give what we do not have. So if we are at peace, it will surely reflect on our actions. If we are troubled, it will manifest on how we responded in a situation. Jamila reminded each of the participants that long before they became a mother or a father, they are once a single individual that has great love towards their selves. Now that they are mothers/wives or fathers/husbands they should love their selves even more to become more loving towards their children and spouses. They should look after the goodness and happiness they feel every single day. Appreciating what you have and loving the flaws in you will give you more contentment and comfort to one self. So every now and then, pour out love to one self so this love will return back to you in a million folds.
Structured Activity: Letter to the Self. The participants were given a coloured paper each. They were instructed to write a letter to their selves for 10 minutes. They were asked to imagine their selves 5 or 10 years from now, what their plans are and how they look at their selves. After the allotted time, the letters were collected and put in the sacred space.
Dialogue with Others
it is our relationship with other people. It is grounded in the pretext, “love thy neighbour.” As a pilgrim of dialogue, we need to remind ourselves to be good to others no matter how difficult the other person is. We must maintain a harmonious relationship with our family, friends, and other people.
Structured activity (Speaker-Listener-Observer). Photos were scattered in a table station. Participants were grouped by 3s. The groups were asked to check each pictures and each one must pick a photo that they could relate to. Each one must have a story to tell. The groups were then chose a station. Each one will take turns to be a speaker, a listener, and an observer. Each role is given a ground rule, and 5minutes is allotted to each role. After the said activity, three groups were called to share the whole experience.
Jamila then processed the said activity. The way we convey a message and listen intently to others is very important. Our responses will reflect on how we receive what other people is telling us. In our everyday lives, we need to practice the art of listening and be an observer. Following the conversation in silence will give you a clear understanding on what the other people is saying and with that, you will make the person feel that he/she is listened to. I think that is one of the most wonderful feeling, that you are heard. This will also reflect how we treat ourselves within and how we connect towards others. It is important that in dialogue, we have two ears to listen and a big heart to understand and all else will follow.
Dialogue with the Creations
The topic was presented by saying that it is our personal relationship with the Mother Nature. How we treat Her will result on how She will respond to us. We need to be shepherd of our environment. At the present, we are experiencing climate change, consumerism, use of GMO, cutting of trees that resulted to landslide.
Structured Activity. Jamila asked the participants to assemble at the sea side. They were divided into two groups and each were provided a paper bag. They were instructed to pick anything that they see while walking as far as they could along the stretch of the seaside. Marietta led one group and the others by Asrifah. When they came back, Jamila asked the participants to share their experience and present what’s inside their paper bags at the station area. Almost all of them picked some sea shells and a lot were plastics. A sad reality to witness that all of the paper bags were filled with garbage thrown or drawn towards the seaside. One of the participants reflected this and said, “This is our doing and with that we need to take part in taking care of our environment while we can so the next generation could fully enjoy it.” These plastic bottles could be recycled and re-used too. We need to be responsible enough of our actions. We need to remind ourselves that what is thrown, will surely come back at us just like the recent hurricane in Marawi City. Let us promote clean and green in our communities.”
Final Reflection
Jamila asked the participants to return to the station and were asked to voluntarily pick, and read the letter they made. Everyone were encouraged to share, inspire, and urge others to break the barrier of silence and welcome the openness and assertive expression of positive emotions. Many participants were emotional but they’re grateful that they’re one of the participants of the training workshop. They thanked God for all the blessings they received despite the challenges they’re facing every single day. They take pride of bouncing back and moving forward after what happened in Marawi in 2017. One of the participants said, “There’s no other way but to stand after every fall as long as God is with us, nothing is impossible.” Jamila gave her final message and appreciation to the participants and to her fellow alumni Asrifah and Marietta. Candles were distributed to the participants and they’re asked to offer prayers of healing, harmony, and unity. The Harmony Prayer song ended the session.
Silsilah Forum Marawi’s 2nd celebration on World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2020 with the theme “Celebrating Dialogue towards Harmony” happened on February 03, 2020 in an open area Golf Course inside Mindanao State University Main Campus Marawi City where the ground zero zone can be seen. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s), faculty and Silsilah Alumni joined the celebration. The program started with an ecumenical prayer given by Nelson Jimenez followed by the singing of the harmony song. Opening remarks, orientation on Silsilah Dialogue Movement and the background and recognition of World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration (February 1 to 7) was given by the Muslim coordinator Asrifah U. Paudac giving emphasis on the theme of WIHW 2020 celebration about the importance of dialogue in having and establishing harmonious relationship in a world, community or place where differences in religion, culture, beliefs, traditions and others exist. The participants then individually shared their experiences and journey living inside Marawi City. Participants shared that they have stayed in Marawi for a range of 30 years and more and had experiences on threat and discrimination (both Muslims and Christians) but as time went by, they started to encourage themselves to engage in dialogue to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings and this made living in harmony and peace with their neighbors (Muslims and Christians) possible. Through dialogue, they have established respect, love and good “family – like” relationship in their communities.
Special messages were given by Ms. Jamilah – Aisha Sanguila and Prof. Abubacar Ali. Prof. Abubacar shared that “it is good to hear stories from both sides, and as a Muslim living in Marawi this is very important as some shared experiences on discrimination and threat that they have experienced before with some of my fellow Muslims and vice versa but not all Muslims and Christians are bad. It’s good to know that majority have established good relationship with each other here in Marawi City. A harmonious relationship full of respect, forgiveness, love, acceptance which all started in a dialogue”.
Solidarity prayer then happened where in participants formed huge circle and offered a prayer for peace, healing and reconciliation for all people of Marawi. Participants offered their individual prayers of peace in silence followed by lighting their candles and placing it in a symbolic pail of water. Closing message was given by Mr. Godfrey Mordeno, the Christian coordinator and highlighted that “Sama sa kalayo sa kandila, mag continue pud ang atong mga commitment in participating and encouraging ourselves into dialogue in order to understand each other more and establish the harmony and peace that we want. The program ended with all participants singing the harmony song by heart. Calendars and lunch were then distributed to the participants.
“What we only need is to understand each other, to eliminate these biases and discrimination through acceptance and this emphasizes why dialogue is important, why engaging ourselves in actively participating in an interfaith dialogue is needed to deepen the understanding of each other’s differences, to respect, to love and have genuine peace. Indeed, when there is dialogue, living harmoniously in peace is possible”
The first week of February is a special occasion for all Silsilah Family as we all join the entire World in its Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. The Silsilah Iligan has its own version of the Celebration. There was a Peace Forum with its partner the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao; it was attended by a couple of young professionals and college students from different colleges and departments.
The topic discussed were the four pillars of Dialogue and the significance of Youth in Dialogue and Peace Building. It was a dynamic forum with lively discussions from the Silsilah Iligan Family together with its partners and the participants of the said activity. It was a great opportunity to introduce Silsilah and its Vision-Mission to Iligan.
Last February 1, the Muslim Coordinator was invited to attend the Board meeting of the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines, Region 10 and was asked to share about the World Interfaith Harmony Week and about Interreligious Dialogue (IRD).
Silsilah Forum Sibugay celebrates WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2020 with the theme: “Celebrating Dialogue Towards Harmony”.
FEB 1-2: Feb 1 & 2 Silsilah Solidarity Youth Camp Sibugay -Solidarity Walk @Marcelo Spinola School.
Silsilah Forum Ipil traditionally celebrates the World Interfaith Harmony Week with the preparation done by the Silsilah Forum Coordinators of the area. This year, they are able to conduct bigger activities with many participating schools and partners witnessing the significance of the said event.
Silsilah Dialogue Movement as the front line of this World Interfaith Harmony Week activity in the Philippines especially in Zamboanga City and Mindanao area, have decided to have the Final Activity for the week-long celebration at Zamboanga City Jail together with Persons deprived with Liberty (PDLs). Silsilah Dialogue Movement has deep interactions and commitment with these PDLs for many years now. Silsilah staffs gave formation on Values Education and Path to Peace to Zamboanga City Jail and San Ramon Penal Colony on regular basis and the results of this formation are very inspiring.
The Peace concert activity prepared by the PDLs and Silsilah staffs took place inside the Zamboanga City jail with the hope to widen the imagination and creativity of the participants (PDLs) in the spirit of the WIHW. This is also to challenge the participants (PDLs) to express and manifest “Dialogue towards Harmony” through their own song lyrics, role place and dance.
To make this activity more significant and special, Silsilah Dialogue Movement invited the WIHW partners to join this celebration and to witness the realities inside the Zamboanga City Jail and also to see the beauty of solidarity with the Persons deprived of Liberty.
Before proceeding to the main venue, the WIHW partners together with the Silsilah staffs gathered together early of February 8, 2020 at the Silsilah Center located at the town of the City. This gathering aims to give the WIHW partners the basic orientation on what to do and what not to do during the visit inside the Zamboanga City Jail.
The orientation was given by Mrs. Pilar Recto, one of the Silsilah staffs who gave regular formation to Zamboanga City Jail PDLs. She gave few advises especially on taking pictures and recording videos to the PDLs. As instructed, only one official photographer is allowed to take photo documentations. We are advised to use our mobile phones less.
Few questions are raised and clarified during the gathering. Also, the objective of this activity was explained by the WIHW Coordinator, Ms. Lady Anne Sheena Macero, where she includes the part of the activity which is the Singing competition and Drama competition. Then and there, the coordinator, herself identified the Judges from the WIHW partners for both competitions and distribute the sheet with criteria a tabulation sheet for each identified Judge on that gathering.
This special celebration creates a good opportunity for other sectors of society and government offices to be part and witness the beauty of the World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Variety of talents was showcased during the event. 3 PDL’s participated the Singing competition while another 3 groups participated the Drama Competition.
During this competition, the PDL’s shows their passion with their talents for singing by composing their own lyrics for their song. While during the Drama, 3 different stories of dialogue were presented. One story focuses on dialogue with Family, another focuses on dialogue with neighbors and one is dialogue among religions.
Each presenter received an award for their hard work and their creativity during the special program.
The PDLs received a Personal hygiene Kit and medical Kit for their personal use during the awarding. The BJMP Personnel also receives an award from Silsilah for being a very supportive partner in different activities and formation of Silsilah Dialogue Movement.
The program ended with a community singing. The PDLs and other people in the crowd held their hands together and sing the song “We are the world.”
Through this gesture, the Persons Deprived with Liberty felt belongingness despite of the reality that they are inside the four walls of the BJMP Facilities.
“Dialogue towards Harmony” has always been an inspiring theme for all, especially to those people who are in need of this kind of motivation the most.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week ended in the most rare but meaningful way. The WIHW celebration does not end only for the first week of February, but Silsilah always remind people that the spirit of this celebration will be carried throughout the year and throughout our journey as people of dialogue.
In our most humble way, we ended the activity with a meaningful lunch with the PDLs and with fulfilled emotions in our hearts. Silsilah will continue to be a sign of hope not only to the local members of society and community but also to those who are most in need. Padayon!
One of the main highlight of this year’s World Interfaith Harmony Week 2020 celebration of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement is the Symposium on Dialogue towards Harmony. The special occasion invited at least 250 participants coming from different government offices, sectors from society, different representatives in the community and other partners of Silsilah.
This activity invites leaders to present three realities in the context of the Philippines and Zamboanga. It is also a plan what they can do together presenting their ideas, plans and aspiration to the Mayor of Zamboanga city and other authorities to listen and support any doable plan.
The activity started with the Harmony Prayer followed by the opening remarks of Ms. Aminda E. Saño, EDC, President of Silsilah Dialogue movement. She mentioned the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration as a special celebration spearheaded by Silsilah Dialogue Movement which is now spread not only in Zamboanga and Mindanao but also in different parts of Zamboanga City
Engr. George Jocutan, the director of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is one of our guest speakers for the said event. His focus is to discuss relevant ideas and concerns of Indigenous peoples in Zamboanga City
Subjectively, he presented the initiative of NCIP and how their mission helped the Indigenous people in Zamboanga City.
His presentation includes the Indigenous peoples’ rights act of 1997 or IPRA law. An Act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples. Additional content of the presentation is the Ancestral Domain which is the most challenging concern of the IP’s.
Prof. Julkipli Wadi, the second speaker focuses his talk about the history of Islam in Philippines specifically in Mindanao. He discussed different points of ideas includes how religion and principle up brings one’s ideologies. Islam in Mindanao experience many prejudices because of different ideologies and belief but at the end, we are from one creator and we can achieve harmony by respecting and accepting one’s differences and diversities.
Prof Wadi believes that Islam is a religion of Peace and that all can live in harmony regardless of faith, cultures and religions.
The third speaker is Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME –the convener of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. He focuses his talk on the special celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week and the occasion of the year of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous people.
As the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), he also emphasizes the relevance of his initiative of Interreligious Dialogue during this special year also in preparation of 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines on 2021. He uses the document on “Human Fraternity” as an inspiration for the Dialogue and Peace Accord in Zamboanga City which will be then signed by the participants at the end of this special activity.
Mrs. Sarah Handang, the Muslim Coordinator of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2020 gave a short synthesis of the three realities discussed by the three speakers of the said activity. To make her synthesis short, she emphasizes her synthesis in the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week “Dialogue towards Harmony”. She said we are one human family and to achieve harmony we should move together with compassion and dialogue in our hearts.
The participants are encouraged to raise their concern with the three realities and challenges given by the speakers for the activity.
Many participants were interested to ask about the law mentioned for IP’s and others are curious about what we can do more to spread the initiative of the World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The participant raised the question about what we can do more to spread the spirit of the initiative knowing that others barangays already celebrated the neighbors in Harmony with the collaboration of Emmaus and Silsilah Dialogue Movement.
A Police officer also commends the efforts of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement for their constant determination with their initiative as the frontline in celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week. He thanked Silsilah for inviting and recognizing Philippine National Police – Zamboanga City as one of the partners of this special celebration.
Maybe, the most interesting part is when one of the participants asked “Is humility a requirement to attain Dialogue?”
Prof. Wadi answers humility is indeed one of the “must” to have dialogue with others. Through Humility, we can understand each other more without any barriers.
This Open forum not only addresses the concern of the participant who asks the question, but it also gave a great impact to those who listens the question and answer part. The Open forum gave all the people in the room the opportunity to think, listen and understand the dynamic of ideas and how the speakers answer them in full of wisdom and knowledge.
The best part of this activity is the signing of the Peace Accord where all participants are encouraged to affix their signature in the space provided after the Peace Accord statement. This is the Dialogue and Peace Accord where it emphasizes that February 6, 2020, guided by the deeper understanding of peace; we make this Dialogue and Peace Accord adopting the same message of the document “Human Fraternity”.
The activity ended with the Community singing of “Heal the World” where all people from different cultures and religions sang one song, with one hope and with one heart to heal the world and make it a better place.
Truly, Silsilah has always been with great determination to spread the initiative of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. An initiative where we believe that may be challenging especially here in Mindanao but if we will work with sincere hearts, step by step, we can live a better world.
