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.