In March 1 the Muslim Umma around the world starts the month of Ramadan. We follow with respect and admiration this tradition of the Muslim Umma that is not only fasting of food at agreed times of the day, but also the fasting that recalls the message of the “GREAT JIHAD” (Al-Jihad al-Akbar) referring to the battle within a person to overcome his passions and subdue his lower nature. Thus, this is a special time of purification of the heart and charity.
We in Silsilah started our movement for dialogue and peace forty years ago (1984) based on the spirituality of life-in-dialogue proposing to the Muslims the GREAT JIHAD and to the Christians the BEATITUDES OF JESUS, the “magna carta” of the spiritual journey of the Christians following the message of Jesus.
The time of Ramadan this year coincides in the Philippines with the political campaign with a lot of alarming acts of violence and with the reality of violence around the world that challenges us to reflect, pray, and act more.
Once again, on this occasion, we are invited to reflect: “Why war? Why not peace?” We are brothers and sisters, part of the same “Human Fraternity.”
We also know that in times of violence, there are also silent and powerful acts of love that go beyond the limits of religions and cultures. We can affirm this also in our experience and we have documented this in the book “Dreaming Together,” a collection of messages and experiences of Christians and Muslims published on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Silsilah in 2024 (see copy in the website of Silsilah, www.silsilahdialogue.com)
This year 2025, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Harmony Chain Initiative.” This initiative was launched by Silsilah in 2000 during the declaration by the president at that time of the total war in Mindanao. This initiative invites all to pray the HARMONY PRAYER every day around the world. Anyone can see more about this initiative and the Harmony Prayer in different languages on the website, www.harmonylink.info.
In this month of Ramadan, the Muslim Umma is committed to the “war” of personal and community purification with acts of charity. We in Silsilah invite all to appreciate this great spiritual journey of the Muslim brothers and sisters and to reflect on how we, according to the teaching of our religion have to be in solidarity with the Muslim Umma remembering the message of Jesus “to fast and pray to overcome temptations.”
Yes, we are different in faith and other practices. Still, we are close in our spiritual aspirations that guide us in “mysterious ways” to God and help us to understand more that we are challenged to be closer to overcoming divisions and conflict built up in history. Today reemerging with more alarming elements that challenge us to remember that God is Love and loves all.
Silsilah Dialogue Movement