The recent solidarity peace forum in Zamboanga City sponsored by Interreligious Solidarity for Peace and Peace Advocates Zamboanga.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – More than 100 people participated in a solidarity forum by the Interreligious Solidarity for Peace and Peace Advocates Zamboanga in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga.
The forum, which coincided with the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, was held at Akay Sofia Hall of Claret School of Zamboanga and attended not only by religious leaders and indigenous people, but also other sectoral and youth representatives and internally displaces people.
ISP lead convenor Fr. Angel Calvo, in his remarks, emphasized on the interreligious nature of the forum, saying it was within the context of Asian societies and communities that are increasingly multi-cultural in population and social behavior.
He said the Mindanao Peaceweavers, a network of peace advocates in southern Philippines, and the different cultural and religious groups in the region are being woven – through dialogue and interactions – into a tapestry symbolic of a society that is progressing towards a peaceful and harmonious whole.
The forum, the priest said, was another meeting of local minds and hearts to consider the challenges and trends in current and various peace-building efforts and perspectives.
Harmony for the security sector is about respect for human rights, adherence to international humanitarian laws, dialogue, negotiation, forgiveness and accommodation, according to Lt. Col. Taharudin Ampatuan, commander of the 4th Civil Relations Group.
He gave a talk on the military’s current peace advocacy in Mindanao. He said military units in Mindanao implement various peace programs aimed at promoting interfaith and inter-cultural harmony because “peace begets peace and it is better to negotiate for peace than to go back to armed fighting.”
Dr. Grace Rebollos, PAZ Vice President, discussed the concept and elements of social harmony, pointing out to God as its source, center and fulfilment. “The bases for Muslim-Christian peace is their mutual belief in written testaments like the Bible and Koran, inner submission to God, respect for each other’s differences, forgiveness and love of enemies, and sharing of common humanity,” she said.
Former Moro National Liberation Front commander and autonomous government official Amilpasa Bandaying, who represented the Muslim sector, reacted to last month’s deadly clashes between police commandos and former rebels and said: “We will continue to pursue the cause of peace and harmony, especially amongst us Christian and Muslim community. Let not recent chaos tear us apart now that I believe we have already achieved that level of understanding and harmony. . . A small and insignificant number of criminals” – referring to local terrorists purporting to wage Islamic causes – “should not represent the great majority of Muslims who do not subscribe to violent ways.”
Bandaying also warned about exploiting omnipresent social and digital media to spread “the barrage of improper information (that) leads us towards mistaken beliefs, erroneous aspirations and hostile views.” He cited how sectarian fundamentalists in the Middle East are using social media to radicalize and recruit supporters and fighters.
Other resource persons who were also at the forum were Hadja Piddang Hasim, head of a group of volunteers helping local refugees; Maisie Faith Dagapioso, of the women sector and project coordinator of Katilingban para sa Kalambuan; Joshua Pierra, who represented the youth sector and coordinator of Mindanao Youth for Development program; and Teddy Kahil, president of the local association of persons with disability.
In his talk, Kahil lamented that some blind people have been apprehended by policemen for violation of the anti-jaywalking ordinance and appealed to authorities to be considerate to the plight of the blind. (PAZ, ZABIDA. Editing by Mindanao Examiner))
Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer
Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine
Read Our News on: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/ and https://mindanaoexaminer.com/
Share The News
Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine
Read Our News on: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/ and https://mindanaoexaminer.com/
Share The News
20