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Harmony Award Initiative

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Harmony Award Initiative

It is a beautiful day to gather special people for the essential event called the Harmony Award Initiative. This initiative is part of the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration. The Harmony Award is given to Muslim and Christian families chosen among those families who are examples of dialogue and peace in the community. This award is sponsored by the Comunita’ Dialogo- Italy and the Silsilah Dialogue Movement.

The Harmony Award Initiative was formed last December to gather people who have taken great initiatives on their respective communities and became an example to others to do more with an intention to achieve in the spirit of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the common good.

Testimonial sharing was given by two (2) foster parents from Barangay Lower Calarian and Barangay Sta. Catalina, they shared their experiences together with their Muslim and Christian friends, that regardless of what religion they practice, we are the same, we all love God, and if we love God we should also love our neighbors. We don’t treat them differently from us, but as one of us.

This award is also to commemorate the late Fr. Salvatore Carzedda, PIME, who is a symbol of hope to all.  On the sharing of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, we quote “To help is not only money; to help is in many ways.” Truly, we may not have enough, yet we can make that enough- to many others. 

 

 

 

A Forum on Peace and Security in the Community “A Shared Responsibility”

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A Forum on Peace and Security in the Community “A Shared Responsibility”
(Feb. 2, 2018)

On the 2nd day of the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration the University of Santo Tomas specifically the Religions for Peace Philippines headed by Dr. Lilian J. Sison together with Prof. Bong Baybado organized an activity “A Forum on Peace and Security in the Community: “A Shared Responsibility.” This forum is intended to educate our young people of today’s generation and some professionals for them to know on how to response to the increasing threat of extremism in our society today. Johayna Macodi a SilPeace Club member led the Harmony Prayer as the opening prayer.

            The participants of this forum are students from the University of Sto. Tomas, Manuel L. Quezon University, Nazarene Catholic School, members of Latter Day Saint of Jesus Christ headed by Ms. Haidi Fajardo and some members of the IHOS from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene with the supervision of Mrs. Minerva Seculles of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry.

            The keynote speaker is the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran Hon. Mohammad Jafarimalek also Cultural Counsellor, in his message he expressed the increasing threat of extremism not only in the Philippines but other parts of the world. He said that all of us must have a sense of responsibility to care for every individual’s safety in our community to work as one in spite of differences in faith. The 1st resource speaker is Rev. Fr. Lucio Rosaroso, Jr. the Deputy Chief, Chaplaincy Services, PNP. He shared his experienced before becoming a priest at the same a Police officer, in an anecdote that he shared two friends where on a plane in the right wing is on fire, the other one said “look the wing of the plane is on fire!” the other one answered “Don’t worry mate it is not ours!” in our present society we do not care anymore what is happening around us, we choose to remain silent amidst the chaos that is being happen in front of us why? Is it because we are afraid or it is because we simply don’t care as long as we are safe? This is a challenge for every one of us not to be afraid and to have empathy to our common tao, not only to think of our own selves but to learn to extend our arms to help others especially those in need. As Fr. Lucio also expressed in the Theology of the body that yes we are different and yet we can work together as one.

            The 2nd resource speaker is Mr. Christopher “Bong” Grajo the President of Emergency Response Integration Center (ERIC). In his introduction Sir Bong Grajo said “what will you do if the person beside you collapse?” common sense will tell us to help the person who collapse, to attend to his/her need. He also shared his personal experience when he was living in Muslim family in Mindanao, he said the people living in Manila has the mentality that Islam is equal to terrorist which he dais that is very wrong mentality because according to him terrorism has no religion and extremist has no respect to whatever religion because their concern is to create chaos in our society. That was what happened in Marawi City, those people whom we address as ISIS, Maute were extremists/terrorists and it does not do anything with Islam. The challenge for us today is to struggle for our own selfishness, greediness and mostly our pride, a person can only be considered as extremist when we thinks that we are better than the others, that is where extremisms mentality begins. Before he ended his talk Sir Bong Grajo said you might forget all that I have shared with you, but I just want to ask a favor to you to always remember this two things, first is the tyranny of “or” (you or me) this is the wrong notion that we must eradicate in our minds and hearts the second is the redemption of “and” (you and I) this is what we must developed to each and every one of us that we need each other we should always work hand in hand for our common humanity.

            After the talk of the speakers the open forum begins for the students to have a chance to ask their questions and clarifications to the speakers. Before the forum ended Assoc. Prof. Ma. Socorro S. Guan Hing, RN, DNM the Director of UST Office for Student Affairs gave her closing remarks and after that Dr. Lilian J. Sison distributed the certificates of appreciations to the speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences to the students for them to widen their horizon on what is happening in our world that we live in.

 

 

Breakfast Meeting with the Cardinal

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Breakfast Meeting with the Cardinal
(Feb. 1, 2018)

February 1, 2018 marks the beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, which the traditional Breakfast with the Cardinal is the opening activity of this celebration. This year the said activity was held at the Arzobispado de Manila, Intramuros the residence of his eminence Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle. The breakfast meeting with the Cardinal were attended by the different religious leaders and also some ambassadors of different countries.

The Ministry for Interreligious Dialogue together with Msgr. Hernando “Ding” Coronel the Parish rector of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the administrator of the Golden Mosque attended the activity. As his eminence delivered his message he said, “ we start this World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration in a simple manner, we eat together and yet in this simple way we also shares our biases and prejudices towards others and we learn to appreciate others believes that we have our own uniqueness as a persons and as a faith believer.” This activity is somehow a reunion for all the religious leaders to renew the friendships that they had with each other to continue to support one another as brothers and sisters, they may have different approach and ways but their goal is still remain one that is for the common good of all.                        

 

 

 

 

 

Peace Camp at Philip’s Sanctuary

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The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in the leadership of Ms. Haidi Fajardo with the FOCOLARE and FO GUANG SHAN Mabuhay Temple organized another Peace Camp for this year World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration with the theme: “Celebrating the Transforming Love of God and Neighbor for the Common Good,” in cooperation with Uni-Harmony Partners Manila. This activity were participated by the youth coming from different living faith like Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics, Aglipayans, and youth from the community of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Present also in the activity were Rev. Fr. Richard James Babao and Rev. Fr. Carlos Reyes together with their youth parish ministry while the Ministry for Interreligious Dialogue Quiapo Church Brought also our SILPEACE CLUB composed of Muslims and Christians youth to join the said activity.

Like last year the Peace Camp was held at Philip’s sanctuary Antipolo City. Upon arrival at the place all were asked to rest for a while and to settle things down, after a while the youth where divided into 10 groups for the Peace building activity. For some of the participants it was a sort of reunion because they were able to see their teammates once again and for the first timer it was a chance for them to meet new people to make friends. The peace building activities were group’s needs to pass some obstacles course as a team, it is a game but in every obstacle there is something that they can learn from it. The groups that they belong to is not only for the games that they need to pass but they need to know each other’s differences so that they can work together as a team, making use of others ability and putting trust in others hands despite the differences that they have.

            At the end of the day it was a very tiring activity for all of us but worth it, simply because all of us enjoyed each other’s company, making new friends differences in our believes does not limits us it only means that we need to cross our borders if we want peace and it is only possible if we work as one without biases and prejudices to one another. PADAYON!

 

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES For the Weeklong Celebration of WIHW 2018

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Many Schools and Institutions have commited to participate on this Special Week-long Activities of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) through the listed activities of the program. We put here in the calendar of activities and initiatives of the WIHW celebration already we welcome also other activities of those still willing to propose to other initiatives.

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The Primer (World Interfaith Harmony Week)

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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.

The sad experience of Marawi Siege and other forms of violence justified by “Religious beliefs” is becoming alarming. What can we do to face this new reality?
A: We have to be more united and share in all possible ways the “Transforming Power” of the Love ofGod and the Love of neighbor for the Common Good. This is a pro-active answer that we call “Active- Harmony”. This must be the answer that can transform the world today to move with hope.

The List of Zamboanga City Partners of the WIHW 2018 The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners- Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z) 2018

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The List of Zamboanga City Partners of the WIHW 2018

The United Nations Interfaith Harmony Partners- Zamboanga
(UNI-HP-Z) 2018 are the following: (in alphabetical order)

♦ Ateneo De Zamboanga University – Ateneo Peace Institute
♦ Cuidad Medical Zamboanga
♦ 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.
♦ Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRDT)- Peace Connect Project
♦ Inter-Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL)
♦ Interfaith Council of Zamboanga City
♦ Muslim Students Association (MSA), Western Mindanao State University
♦ 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
♦ San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm
♦ Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM)
♦ Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA)
♦ United student Council Government , Western Mindanao State University
♦ 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 Reformatory Center
♦ Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC)
♦ Zamboanga Market Stall Operators
♦ Zamboanga Press Club
♦ Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST)

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

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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.
The goals of the group are:

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

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 and meet along the year to renew the spirit of the WIHW, deciding, if needed and agreed, help each other in other events along the year guided by the spirit of the WIHW.

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

The different Partners of the World interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) linked to Silsilah through the Silsilah Forum areas in Mindanao and Manila area will gather in Zamboanga sometimes in May inviting also other groups and partners who have celebrated the WIHW in 2018. It will be a gatherings of selected partners from Zamboanga City and other areas of the Philippines. It will be a time of evaluation and planning together for a better coordination and mutual support.

Background of the Celebration

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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, Pagadian, Ipil, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Jolo, Tawi are also in the front line of the World Interfaith Harmony Week as well as 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 now many other groups and institution have joined tho the WIHW Celebration. The Silsilah Forum in Davao, Pagadian, Ipil, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Jolo, Tawi are also in the front line of the World Interfaith Harmony Week as well as 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 now many other groups and institution have joined tho the WIHW Celebration.

Note: Groups interested to report on national and international level their activities can contact our secretariat for more information.

2018 World Interfaith Harmony Week theme

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2018 World Interfaith Harmony Week theme

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

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 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.

 

“Celebrating the transforming power of the Love of God and love of neighbor for the Common Good”

was chosen as the theme for the 2018 celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) as decided by the United Nation Interfaith Harmony Partners Zamboanga (UNI-HP-Z).

Click Here to VIEW or Download a copy of the Word Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 PRIMER