Christian, Muslim youth gathers for dialogue in Mindanao

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ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 13, 2012—The Silsilah Dialogue Institute is gathering young Christian and Muslim leaders and professionals from Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in several forums scheduled throughout the year to teach them the importance of building dialogue as a sustainable foundation of personal and social transformation.
Silsilah is organizing a three-day seminar themed “Rediscovering the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace in the Light of the Beatitudes and the Great Jihad.” The first of the series is scheduled from June 25 to 28 at the Harmony Village in Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
The same seminar will be conducted in Pagadian City on July, in the province of Basilan, Jolo and Sulu by September and other forum areas by November.
According to organizers, the program will seek to bring together government and non-government individuals to rediscover the importance to live and promote the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace.
“Silsilah is determined to give priority to forming Muslims and Christians to rediscover the central part of their religion, encouraging each one to be guided by what is essential in the two religions – love of God and love of neighbor – in order to live and promote the spirituality of dialogue for the common aspirations of peace and harmony,” the organizers said.
The seminar is a replication of the formation program organized in Quiapo, Manila last April 13 to 15 by Silsilah in coordination with Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio, the rector of the Quiapo Church.
Earlier this month, members of the Interfaith Council of Leaders (IFCL) of Zamboanga City met and aired their wish to provide a similar formation program for Muslims and Christians in the grassroots level of Mindanao.
Members of the IFCL, who are respected in their respective communities and organizations, volunteered to be the resource speakers in the Silsilah seminars.
For the Muslim communities, the topic of the seminar will be “Focusing on Islamic Teachings and Practices in the Light of the Common Word,” while the Christian communities will be given talk on “Rediscovering Dialogue and Peace in the Church in the Light of the Beatitudes.”
“These initiatives are designed for Muslims and Christians, specifically for the Catholics, in Mindanao with special attention to ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu & Tawi-tawi) areas,” the organizers emphasized.
Interested parties who would want to attend the seminars can contact the organizers at silsilahinstitue@gmail.com or call them at 983-0952/983-0014 or 0927-651-311. Just look for Cristina Beltran. (YouthPinoy)