A link to Dialogue and Peace
Brother Vito Verhelst, a Little Brother of Jesus and a Belgian national who died on April 1, 2001 in Manila, at the age of seventy-two was a passionate promoter of the Harmony Prayer. A Little Sisters of Jesus, who assisted him in the hospital up to his last moment, told me, “Fr., before dying, Brother Vito told us to continue your Chain of Harmony and Peace. These were his last words.”
S.D. (From Manila)
Indeed, prayers do move mountain. More than ever, with the specific intentions of the people who pray– PEACE is still a priority especially for the people in Mindanao whom up until now are still crying for peace. I would like to inform you that the Harmony Chain Initiative is living to its legacy as set expectations for those who have encountered Silsilah and experience it in their lifetime.
It is an awesome experience to keep this movement of praying come alive — especially if it keeps binding the people together.
J.D. (From Cagayan de Oro)
I am happy and grateful that I had the opportunity to join Silsilah and be touched by the Harmony Chain. I started to share the beautiful prayer to my community and to the urban poor leaders in my area in Davao. I realized after working for 25 years with the informal settlers, liberation comes when there is a bridge – Spirituality to feed and sustain our dreams for development and for social transformation.
M.A.T. (From Davao)
This year’s celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week ( WIHW) In Pagadian City , adopted the theme : “Celebrating the Transforming Power of Love of God and Love of Neighbor for the Common Good”. The celebration was initiated by the Silsilah Forum Pagadian (SFP), who invited some members of the interfaith forum for solidarity and peace and other silsilah alumni members and friends.There were activities during the week long celebration. We connected some public and private schools in the city because we believe that the role of youth is very important specially in our present situation now in building peace.
This were the following activities conducted:The thematic prayer which was participated by some religious leaders,youth and other sectors isince this activity was open for all. The feeding program for the malnourished children particular in Muslim depressed community,one was in Kawit Muslim village ,most of the number of children were sama kabingaan.The other one was in the relocation are in Bulatok this is far from the city because this people were came from sta.lucia in one of the barangay here in pagadian city and they are victim of demolition that’s why they transferred to Bulatok.Most of the people were belong to Indegenious people.The third activity was the Peace Forum with women leaders , this activity aims to determine the role of women in promoting peace and development in the society.Another activity was conducted in Balay Paglaum at Manga,Pagadian City which was participated by the in house youth of balay paglaum the activity entitled Values Formation and Orientation of World Interfaith Harmony Week.Ms Ellen Cuaresma a silsilah forum pagadian core group member handled the lecture on what is world interfaith harmony week and its objective.The role of youth in peace building was another activity conducted by the forum with the help of some silsilah members.Participants were all youth, we believe that nowadays youth plays a crucial role in terms of peace building and how they overcome challenges specially on their age.Simultaneous prayer was done in mosque in even in the the house because the aim of this was the connectedness of the prayer that emphasized prayer was the most important powerful things we can do in order to attend the long lasting peace .Everything we do we need to put ALLAH (SWT) GOD first because HE IS THE ONLY LISTENER OF OUR NEEDS AND PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD.BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER.
The role of silsilah during the WIHW 2018 was quite different from the previous celebrations. We initiated the celebration and facilitated all the activities , but we empowered the other members of the forum and some group to be with us not only for the world interfaith harmony week activity but for the whole journey of the forum.Ms.Saida M.Lapasaran explained the objective and rationale of the one week long activity with the support and actively participation of some members in the forum and other friends of silsilah .Ms Ellen Cuaresma as one of the harmony link coordinator in pagadian actively organized the Christian group to had a solemn prayer the last day of the celebration. Silsilah was perceived to be in the back ground during the observance of the WIHW 2018, it was actively giving directions to the whole process of the celebration.
We look forward to the next celebration of the WIHW. We are very much convinced that working hand in hand with differ commitment can help in achieving peaceful leaving among others.”LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR “ THE COMMON WORD BETWEEN US AND YOU. PADAYON AND GOD BLESS ALWAYS TO ALL.
It was a big lost of one member of the Silsilah core groupmember. Rev.Diosdado Marquez was a very active member of the silsilah and he died during the WIHW celebration because of kidney. Last year kasama pa namin siya sa 2017 WIHW. Every year he was very supported and actively participated in all activites.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) was celebrated in Cagayan de Oro last 1st week of February of this year with the theme, “Celebrating Harmony in the Spirit of Mercy and Compassion.” This week-long celebration is a Resolution 65/5 proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on October 20, 2010 that every first week of February is the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs. Hence, we are all encouraged to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Thus, there is a need to re-affirms that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.
To promote harmonious relationship and better understanding between and among people of the different living faiths, the Interfaith Forum for Peace Harmony and Solidarity whose members are UCCP Pastors, AFP Chaplain(Methodist), IFI priests, Roman Catholic Priests-Nuns & Lays, Imams and Ustadj of the Muslim community, IP-Higaunon of Dansolihon, Campus Ministries and Peace Projects of Xavier University, Students of XU Sira’j Muslim Religious Organizations and Muslim Youth Council conducted series of activities in Cagayan de Oro City. The first day of the week-long celebration was graced by an ecumenical prayer service hosted by Senior Minister Reverend Ricardo Yañez Jr of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines – Cagayan de Oro. Each Church representative was assigned to specific intentions to pray for. But prior to the prayer, Archbishop Antonio J Ledesma, SJ DD of the Roman Catholic Church gave the introduction and the rationale of the said celebration. After which, Fr. Vic Arellano of Igelsia Filipina Independiente expressed his prayer intention for solidarity and unity in the midst of divisions, confusions and conflicts not only in Mindanao but to the entire inhabitants of the world. 
Thus it is imperative that one has to be concern with the other notwithstanding each other differences. In the same manner, AFP Chaplain of the Methodist Pastor Eduardo Copliting expressed also his prayer intention for the peace processes in Mindanao to push through in spite and despite of the very challenging situations right now between the GRP-NDF and the Bangsamoro people. Ustadj Edris Salic of the Muslim community here in Cagayan de Oro conveyed his prayer intention for world peacespecially of the many innoc
ent lives that died in the name of war and armed conflicts in the Middle Eastern part of the world. Nevertheless, Gail dela Rita of Xavier University and Pastor Goel Bagundol of UCCP conveyed their intercessory prayer for the care of the environment and to engage in all forms in the disaster risks reduction management especially that Cagayan de Oro had experienced an unexpected flooding two months ago.
Last February 3, our Muslim brothers and sisters of the Oro Jamaah Mosque in Cogon open its doors in welcoming the religious sisters and catechists of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and some UCCP Pastors headed by Pastor Ricardo Yañez for the Muslim Friday Dohor or noon prayer observance. After the prayer, Ustadj Anas shared something on the beauty and richness of Islam as well as its commonality with the Christian faith. He said that there are only substantial commonalities than differences. Hence, religious tolerance, mutual acceptance, appreciation, respect must prevail since we only have one God though called in different names.
On the other hand, the Sira’j Muslim Religious Organization of Xavier University spearheaded a symposium dubbed as Ummah 2.0 bearing the theme: ‘Enlightening the Youth and Reviving the Imaan (aka Faith). The said symposium was attended by some Muslim students form other schools and university in Cagayan de Oro City. One of the remarkable topics that were discussed was the true essence of Jihad that a Muslim and Non-Muslim should know particularly the great Jihad by Atty. Hamid Barra, former co-convenor of the Bishops-Ulama Conference. Some emerging and prevalent issues were also tackled by the distinguished speakers. Moreover, challenge the Muslim youth in Cagayan de Oro to get involve in promoting a culture of peace and dialogue with their fellow youth so as to create more spaces for mutual understanding and respect with one another and the “otherness” of the others.
Lastly, the WIHW concluded its activity in the Pamumulakaw-Panulak ta Wahig last March 4, 2017. This is an annual ritual of the Higaunon Tribal communities in Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City in order to give thanks, to say sorry and protection from the dwellers (guardians) of the Cagayan de Oro river to never again experience the 6-years ago tragedy (Sendong) that Kagay-anons could not forget. In this gathering were the people in Brgy Nangka, Libona Bukidnon, the members of the Interfaith Forum, XU Year of Service Volunteers, XU Socio-Anthro Dept., members from SACDO, Parishioners of Barra, Opol, Columban priests, seminarians and lay missionaries from Tonga, Fiji and Peru witnessed and participated during the celebration. The ritual was also graced by the simultaneous prayers of the Baylan (Datu), Priest and Pastor during the pamatbat (incantation). This IP ritual reminded us of our responsibility to be a true steward of God, Bathala or Allah’s creation.
– Mona Lisa D Pangan
Silsilah Forum Cagayan de Oro
When we realize that the goal of every religion is essentially the same – the search for truth and peace then we can stand-in an attitude of open dialogue and mutual exchange of ideologies. Through the correct practice of religion, we should develop not only harmony between faiths and nations but a harmony or state of peace within ourselves.
As the world becomes more interconnected and cultures, peoples and religions become ever more entwined. Silsilah Dialogue Movement has its own ways to promote harmony and peace in different areas in Mindanao through a program called Silsilah Forum.
With the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 with the assistance and support of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, and the great efforts of the
Silsilah Forum Ipil has come up with an initiative of Inter religious forum with the religious leaders.
During the activity, the vision and mission of Silsilah was introduced through a video presentation. The history of Silsilah was also presented with the participants. Truly, the Silsilah Forum – Ipil came up with a very significant initiative to share and reflect the value of celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018. Ms. Aminda E. Saño, EDC — President, Silsilah Dialogue Movement attended the activity and gave a very inspiring message on the journey of Silsilah Dialogue Movement in advocating and promoting peace in the community especially in Mindanao. At the end of the activity, the different religious sectors together with the Silsilah forum coordinators and staffs came up and signed a statement of commitment.
There is a diversity of religious beliefs in our world simply because there is a corresponding diversity of mindsets. Even two random adherents of the same faith are unlikely to have totally identical views.
To attain harmony, we should have the spirit of dialogue that makes inter-religious harmony possible – when we choose to focus on the similarities of compassion and wisdom.
The celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 gave a great opportunity to the Silsilah Forum to be an organization of harmony and dialogue and also to be the leading group to conduct inter-religious initiatives and programs in the future – a program that will remind the community the happiness in building a place for peace and harmony. All religions have an important role to play in maintaining peace and reconciliation. The activity reflected the main point of celebrating the World interfaith Harmony Week which is to celebrate the Transforming Powers of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the Common Good. Because at the end, it is believe that love is considered to be the mother virtue, the principle virtue that gives birth to all the other virtues. Padayon!
Harmony in human relationships among people is an essential element in our quest for peace and development. For this reason the United Nations had made a Resolution in 2010 to celebrate the first week of February every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW). In the Philippines, it is supported by Republic Act No. 10525. It is “an act declaring the First Week of February of every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week in the entire country and mandating its observance by the different Government agencies.”
In Davao City, we have been celebrating the WIHW for the past six years together with our peace partners. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Neighbor for the Common Good.”
The World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration in Davao City started with an opening program which was organized and participated by the members of the Focolare Movement on February 1. The Silsilah Forum Davao Muslim Coordinator, Ms. Nor Asiah Adilao was invited to present the background and rationale of the WIHW. Archbishop Emeritus Capalla shared about the theme “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Neighbor for the Common Good.” Then, Ms. Vivien Nobles from the Silsilah shared her concrete experience on the transforming power of the love of God and neighbor.
On the 2nd of February, the Education Department of the Brokenshire College invited Ms. Nor Asiah and Fr. Hermes as resource speakers during the Special Topic 2 seminar of the education students on the theme: “The Role of Educators in Creating a Culture of Dialogue and Peace.”
On the 5th of February, a Youth-Space Day for Harmony was held at the Al-Munawarra Islamic School. This was the first time that one of the programs of the celebration of the WIHW took place in a Muslim community in Davao City.
Through the dynamic and creative activities, the whole morning’s program created a space of peace that promotes mutual respect, friendship, acceptance and appreciation of the differences of the other. Both Muslim and Christian students actively participated in the activity. We are grateful to the school administration for welcoming us; and for the students for taking an active participation during the process of the activity. It was a youthful and meaningful experience of the students being with others, who were different from their own religions and cultures. Indeed, it is essential to provide a space among young people to share their experiences that create peace and harmony.
The week-long celebration concluded with a forum entitled “Life-in-Dialogue, a space for harmony.” The Teachers and religious leaders from various religious education institutions in Davao City participated in the said forum. The representative from the Office of the Consulate General of Indonesia delivered a message on the celebration of the WIHW.
– Ms. Nor Asiah Madale Adilao
We are happy to inform you that on February 7, 2018 at around 8:00 AM, personnel of Regional Police Community Relations Division headed by PSSUPT MADZGANI M. MUKARAM, Chief, RPCRD in partnership with Darul Iftah headed by Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulbaki Abubakar, Ulama Council of Zamboanga Peninsula headed by its chairman, Sheikh Muhaimin Sakili and Sabiel Al-Mohtadeen Foundation as represented by Dr. Sahie Udjah conducted a one (1) day Ulama consultative conference dubbed as ULAMA: Brothers Conversations for Harmony, Mutual Respect and Common Good with a theme: “Fostering Relationships-Bettering Communities” held at the Function Hall, Camp Gen. Eduardo B Batalla, JRT Lim Boulevard, Zamboanga City in observance of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018.
The conference started with the Qur’an Reading and Opening Duwaa of Sheikh Abdulquddus Samad. Then, followed by a welcome remarks and rationale given by PSSUPT MUKARAM who made a gradual introduction of the conference as it aims firstly, to resolve issues and concerns on Social Media amounting to Cyber Bullying act and secondly, to strengthen the relationship among and between Ulama and the Community. Afterwards, the lecture proper started on understanding Cybercrime Law by PCINSP JOEL C TUTTUH, Chief, Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Office. Then, PCINSP KARIB A MUHARRAM, Chief, Salaam Police Center presented an Actual Case on Cyber Bullying which includes a recent online defamatory and libellous article or blog confronted by the Ulama.
Thereby, a workshop followed which divided the participants into five (5) groups as facilitated by Professor Alih Aiyub and Professor Munib Kahal of Western Mindanao State University. Thereafter, each group presented their outputs by way of raising a problem and finding a solution. Majority of the problems they raised that include an issues of Mistaken Identity, Force Disappearance of the Muslim Comrade, erroneous accusation against a Muslim as an Extremist or Terrorist, Disrespect towards Ulama, Lack of Communication between Security Sectors and the Muslim Community and other Issues concerning Peace and Security. As a result, every members of the group gave suggestions to answer the issue but unanimously they preferred that Ulama should collaborate with the different government agencies to come up with a better solution.
Fortunately in the afternoon, two (2) distinguished Foreign Muslim Scholars sincerely attended the conference and were acknowledged to give message. Sheikh Imran Anggulia Alhafidz, Singaporean and Habib Sholeh Al-jufri, Indonesian expressed their good intentions and convey their words of praise to the PNP for its valuable effort to initiate the conference. In return, RPCRD gave them a certificate of appreciation and a token of gratitude as a symbol of hospitality and remembrance.
Afterwards, Professor Kahal presented and explained the Ulama-PNP Coordinating Framework, and then a short synthesis was given by Professor Aiyub. Subsequently, a short inspirational message on unity and commitment was given by Gen. Mohammad Nur Askalani (ret.), member of Council of Advisers for Muslim Advancement, Sheikh Muhaimin Sakili, Chairman, Ulama Council of Zamboanga Peninsula, Sheikh Abdulbaki Abubakar, Mufti, Region 9 and Palawan and Dr. Sahie Udjah, representative of Sabiel Al-Mohtadeen Foundation.
MULTICULTURAL CAMP “CELEBRATING HARMONY AMIDST DIVERSITIES”
Sponsored by: Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRDT)
Peace Connect project
Harmony Village, Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City
February 6-7, 2018
Different people have different views of things, likes or dislikes, agreements or disagreements. Multicultural communities is a controversial issue in the world especially in Mindanao. In multicultural diversities, communication and barriers to effective communication works alongside one another. Barriers of effective communication can be simple or complex from time to time. Sometimes, the differences in beliefs, faiths, and language may lead society, especially the youths, to misunderstandings and conflicts. However, the celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 in Zamboanga City with the theme: Celebrating the Transforming powers of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the Common Good” give the Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRDT) the opportunity to conduct a significant initiative for the young generation to be in harmony with other cultures and religions in the 2 days Camp at Harmony Village, Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
United with nature, the campers of this event held their activity at the camp site located at Harmony Village. The name of the place itself gives us many definitions – in harmony with God, nature, the self and neighbors. It is a seamless place to hold the significant activity as the camp’s goal is to “Celebrate Harmony amidst Diversities”.
The Camp started with the usual prayer and orientation of getting-to-know-you activity. A great impact of sharing was felt as the group made their plan of action on what they could do to share the good message of a Multicultural camp to their community. At the end of the activity, the participants then advocated the sense of living in harmony amidst diversities and the love for the common good
They shared and presented personal experiences, learned lessons of life, and valued the significance of being different. The camp provided the youth with the platform to conduct their personal reflections on cultures other than their own. This activity created an avenue for the young people of different cultures and religions to come together and appreciate the richness of diversities.
Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 was very significant because we could reach people’s hearts with many initiatives. Understanding multicultural diversity brought together a melting pot of different cultures, beliefs, and religions that turned the activity into somewhat of a little mixed family. As young as they are, they must embrace the reality of multicultural diversities and to accept that living in harmony amidst diversities is possible as long as we have respect, harmony and we have God as the center of our lives.
POSTER MAKING: INSTRUMENTALITY TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HARMONY
The Persons Deprived of Liberty (PsDL) of San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm became part of the World Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration through the Poster Making Activity which happened last February 05, 2018. The main objective of this was to discover potentials and enhance the inmates’ skills and visual creativity and color harmony.
Prior to the finals, an elimination round was conducted from among the entries submitted for selection and screening. The theme of this year’s celebration was the basis of the inmates’ visual presentation. After the deliberation, ten qualified entries were chosen from among the entries submitted who will now advance to the final round of the competition. Orientations were given to the finalists. Ten finalists were presented and were acknowledged. Reading of criteria was made and the introduction of the persons in charge to rate the outputs of the finalists. The competition began as the finalists were given ample time to work on their posters.
The time allotted for the activity had lapsed. The finalists were required to say something on the poster that each one had made, as the judges were listening attentively. The announcement of the winners followed. Of the ten finalists, seven received tokens of participation as consolation prizes while three of the finalists emerged as the first, second and third winners respectively. Winners received prizes for their participation. The participants took their lunch together as one family.