Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David: A new hope for the mission of Interreligious Dialogue We in Silsilah Dialogue Movement are happy that Bishop Ambo David, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has been elected cardinal. The long friendship of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, and Cardinal-elect […]
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David: Read More »
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE THE DIALOGUE WITH CREATION PARTNERS WEEK? Working Together in the spirit of Solidarity to Protect Our Common Home What will the future of the world be? This question is expressed in many ways and through different initiatives. There are local, national, and international initiatives that address this issue. Observing climate change today many ask:
Working Together in the spirit of Solidarity to Protect Our Common Home Read More »
The Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim- Christian Dialogue is one of the most relevant programs of Silsilah. We started the first summer course in 1987 and this year we offered the 38th Summer Course in Harmony Village. The Basic Course was conducted on July 7-21, 2024 and the Special course on July 21-30. We present
The death of Fr. Amado Picardal who died of cardiac arrest last May 29, 2024 brought me back to the time when we have been together and shared about peace, dialogue and the mission of the Basic Christian Communities (BCC) in Mindanao. Our friendship became stronger when in 2001 he attended the Silsilah Summer Course in
Fr. Amado Picardal, an alumnus of Silsilah and a model to remember Read More »
The news of the death of Prof. Alih S. Aiyub reached us as soon as he passed away on May 18, 2024 during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Silsilah. What a sad news! I visited him some weeks ago in his house knowing that he was on dialysis informing him of the plans
Prof. Alih S. Aiyub: A Muslim leader with a vision of dialogue and peace Read More »
It all started in 2010 with a heartfelt invitation of our School President of Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, a Marist brother with a big heart in dialogue and peace. He gave me a brochure about the Silsilah Dialogue Movement with Summer Course offerings on Basic, Intensive and Special Courses on: A Culture of Dialogue,
Embracing and Sharing the Mission and Spirituality of Life in Dialogue Read More »
This year, on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement we have launched the motto: … BACK TO GOD“. These three words are the last part of the initial inspiration of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME living in a Muslim community, the message is “Dialogue starts from God and brings people back to God.” He started
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement welcomes the month of Ramadan as a form of solidarity with the Muslim Umma in the Philippines and around the world. Fasting, prayer and acts of charity are the basic points of the spirituality of Ramadan that people of different religions admire. This practice guides the Muslim Umma towards the “Great Jihad” (the struggle for the purification of
SILSILAH MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN 2024 Read More »
Silsilah started to go to the City Jail of Zamboanga more than thirty years ago and we continue to do our mission by inviting other Silsilah members in different cities to give attention to this specific mission. We have great testimonies of people deprived of liberty who have shared to us how they have been
A STORY OF COMPASSION & LOVE IN THE ZAMBOANGA CITY JAIL Read More »
The news of the death of Archbishop Fernando Capalla on January 6 , 2024, who died at the age of 89 is a time of sorrow for all of us and for me also an occasion to remember him as a good friend who contributed a lot for the promotion of interreligious dialogue in Mindanao and on the national and international level. When
THANK YOU ARCHBISHOP CAPALLA Read More »
The Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue this year have been a great occasion of friendship without the limitation of the COVID10 of the previous years. This program was conducted in the spirit of “Dreaming Together” to prepare a big gathering of Silsilah alumni next year on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. STATEMENT OF
Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue 2023 Read More »
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement since 1984 has promoted dialogue and peace in the Philippines and other countries starting from Zamboanga City, giving a special attention to the Muslim – Christian dialogue. Our mission is to promote the spirituality of life-in-dialogue convinced that “Dialogue starts from God and brings people back to God.” During these days we are doing the
On May 9 , this year a number of the members of Silsilah gathered to celebrate the birthday of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME , the founder of Silsilah. Fr. Seb, this is how we call Fr. D’Ambra. On that occasion of the 39th anniversary of Silsilah, Fr. Seb launched a special year, in preparation of the 40th
On the occasion of the Second National gathering of the partners of the World Interfaith Harmony Week in Harmony Village, Zamboanga City, the participants decided to launch a new partners week called DIALOGUE WITH CREATION PARTNERS WEEK to be celebrated by those who are sensitive to CREATION and MOTHER EARTH in the spirit of unity without barriers of
DIALOGUE WITH CREATION PARTNERS WEEK (DCPW) Read More »
“God will send people to make your life beautiful. They will guide you to paths of peace and make this peace your call.” My love for Music helps me to develop a “listening heart” and to be able reconnect to people and put them together in harmony. The first time I knew about the Silsilah
Moving with a Listening Heart Read More »
It is always with joy that the Silsilah Dialogue Movement sends a special message to the Christians during the time of Advent and Christmas and to the Muslims during the Month of Ramadan. In this society where we are losing hold of spiritual values, Ramadan is a point of reference that tells all of us that fasting and prayer are important. Christianity, too, promotes the importance of fasting and prayer. Yes,
SILSILAH MESSAGE FOR THE RAMADAN 2023 Read More »
When I was younger, I lived in a community that may be classified as a melting pot of culture. The harmonious relationship of its residents from different tribes and religions made it more special. There, I have established good relationships with my Muslim and Christian friends. One time, I visited my aunt’s house in the
Silsilah: A Word I used to Know Read More »
“Through the sharing of stories, I also learned to have true dialogue with them by opening my heart to them to begin friendship, living the spirituality of life-in-dialogue that is rooted in the love of God, and love of neighbour.” When I was younger, I had biases and prejudices toward Muslims. I grew up carrying
“The Forgiving Heart” Read More »
“With Silsilah, I am convinced that life-in-dialogue is possible. It continues to happen without us even noticing it. I am aware that the process of dialogue and letting go of my prejudices against people who are different from me will continue to happen. It does not matter how long it will take. What is important
Rebuilding Trust and Friendship Read More »
The news of the visit of pope Francis in Bahrain is a sign of hope for all, especially for us in Silsilah that have advocated for Christian-Muslim dialogue through the Silsilah Dialogue Movement since 1984. Pope Francis has arrived in Bahrain on his first trip to the Gulf nation, calling for an end to discrimination
Pope Francis in Bahrain Read More »
“ What was common in us?… I found out that it is the ability to love and be loved back. The love and care that they have shown me were enough for me to understand that whatever religion a person follows, he or she is a person who’s capable to show love to other human
The Most Significant Change in my Life Read More »
By: AMINDA E. SAÑO, EDC I remember I was more or less nine years old when for the first time, I had the opportunity fifty-six years ago to see for myself a new reality about people, places and different situations in life when my parents decided to leave our hometown in the Visayas region in
“A STORY OF CHANGE: The Deeper Meaning and Purpose of MISSION” Read More »
by: Rosabel Anne F. Tarroza & Mary Joy O. Gio The Silsilah Elementary School and Extensions is one of the programs of Silsilah Dialogue Movement. The Silsilah schools have been a response to the need of the movement “to be in solidarity with all people in the uplifting of the less privileged, in the building up
Silsilah Elementary School and Extensions: On the move Read More »
We are happy to share in our Oasis news the commitment of Comunita’ Dialogo in promoting the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in Italy. After the martyrdom of Fr. Salvatore in Zamboanga (Mindanao, Philippines-1992) a group of friends of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME and Fr. Salvatore Carzedda, PIME started in Sicily a group called “Comunita’ Dialogo” under the leadership
At the beginning of the year 2000, the United Nations proclaimed a ten-year initiative of ” Dialogue among Civilizations”. Unfortunately, the September 11 bombing and the new time of history of violence became more visible. Since the beginning of all these sad events has been challenged to do more in the spirit of dialogue and peace. Unfortunately on September 2013 in Zamboanga
Remembering : Ground Zero to the Ground of Hope Read More »
The Silsilah Elementary School and Extensions’ teachers attended the In-Service Education and Training (INSET) and Professional Development of Teachers SY 2022-2023 last August 22-26, 2022 at the Oasis Livelihood and Training Center, Harmony Village. As part of the training, the teachers were given four Peace and Dialogue and Education workshops under the Tulay Bata for
Tulay Bata for Dialogue and Peace : A new beginning Read More »
After the heights of the COVID-19 Pandemic and as the world entered the ‘new normal’ way of life, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement restarted the annual face-to-face Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in Harmony Village, Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City. A year ago, in 2021, online platform was utilized in order to continue this long-running program which
Face –to-face Silsilah Summer Course: Coming back on track Read More »
The “Oasis News” of Silsilah has thousands of friends from different parts of the world. This is a regular online voice that presents different issues and events related to the mission of Silsilah. We always post the Oasis News in our website, www.silsilahdialogue.com. This new Oasis News wishes to reach out those who regularly receive the Oasis News. Please see the
NEW BEGINNING OF THE OASIS NEWS AND THE DIALOGUE WITH CREATION PARTNERS MOVEMENT Read More »
Silsilah along the years has given attention to any good effort of interreligious dialogue, most of the time related to Muslims and Christian dialogue, but Silsilah is a Link/chain of dialogue and peace with all religions and in this spirit meanwhile the Muslims are about to end the sacred month of Ramadan, a special event that
Buddhists and Christians: Standing Together in Hopeful Resilience Read More »
This year the month of Ramadan coincides in the Philippines with the campaign period of the national and local election and alarming war time in Ukraine and other parts of the world. Ramadan is a special time of fasting for a journey of purification with some obligations such as fasting from eating and drinking during day time,
Message of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement for the month of Ramadan Read More »
The COVID Pandemic has challenged us to focus… One of the positive effects of the COVID 19 Pandemic is it has challenged us to focus on what is more essential, urgent and empowered us to collaborate with others who believe in the same goal and importance. In this spirit, the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue
OUR MISSION ON THE ROAD Read More »
We know that today one of the big problems is to remain healthy physically but also spiritually and maintain the MENTAL HEALTH. Silsilah in this time of pandemic have been sharing different suggestions and even the Silsilah Calendar 2022 present in the cover the message of WE SERVE with a slogan “Moving together with Hope, Solidarity and Love”. (See the Silsilah
How can we SERVE others and move in this pandemic situation? Read More »
Thirty years ago, on May 20, 1992, Fr. Salvatore Carzedda, PIME, an active member of Silsilah, was killed in Zamboanga City. He was a close friend of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, who founded the Silsilah Dialogue Movement in Zamboanga City in 1984. A movement identified as Abu Sayyaf also started to operate in Zamboanga at
Open Letter: Love is the Answer Read More »
Following the tradition of Silsilah to send a message to the Christians on the occasion of Advent and Christmas and to the Muslims on the month of Ramadan we focus this year the message for the Christians recalling the voice in the desert of John the Baptist crying in the desert the message of prophet Isaiah: “… prepare
Silsilah Message of Advent time and Christmas Read More »
On the occasion of the National Peace Consciousness Month promoted by the government thru the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) for this month of September with the theme: “Healing as One Nation Recovering as a Better Generation”, we invite all to join this important event in the midst of so many
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement, reflecting on the present situation of COVID19 with all the implications, started to share to some groups closer to the Movement the new initiative WE SERVE. We first started to share this initiative with Emmaus Dialogue Movement, a Catholic group part of Silsilah, the Jama’a Dialogue Movement, an emerging Movement of
Following a long tradition of Silsilah to send a message to the Christians during Advent and Christmas time and to the Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, we address now this message to the Muslim Umma to renew the “chain” (Silsilah) of friendship , love and solidarity especially in this time when
Silsilah Message on the occasion of Ramadan 2021 | 1442 H.C Read More »
This year, we decided to have our 35th Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue online. It is a new challenge we did also last year due to the situation. The 35th Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue, invites participants to reflect on the past and recent history of the Philippines giving more attention to the
I am happy to present the new book “Stories of Change” published by Silsilah Publications. As an Italian priest arriving in Mindanao in 1977, I was surprised to listen to sad stories of conflict in Mindanao normally called “encounter”. In my language “Encounter” always has a positive meaning. I learned to accept the reality that
Stories of Change: In search for more Read More »
The Catholic Church in the Philippines follows with great attention the visit of Pope Francis in Iraq in this special time of the 500 years of Christianity in the country. The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)- Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue takes this occasion to encourage all in the different parts of the
The Voice Entering the New Year 2021, we see that this year will be full of surprises. There are those who believe that COVID19 will be controlled with the vaccines and those who already see new signs of fear with new forms of virus and especially a more alarming signs of climate change and political
A Voice on the Road Read More »
In the spirit of Christmas and the New Year, we in Silsilah wish to express solidarity with all especially those who suffer most in this critical time of COVID19. Many things we can share to express solidarity, but we decided to share Solidarity with message of inspiration guided by the new book of Pope Francis,
Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future Read More »
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement will launch the new partnership program, “We Serve” on December 30, this year. It isa new dream that Silsilah presents inviting partners to join us to “Dream Together” . After some steps of reflection and sharing, we identified partners and launched this new program, “We Serve”, at the end of this
Five hundred years ago in this part of the world called now Philippines, Christianity arrived with those who explored this land and started to conquer it. Today, we recall this 500 years with joy and sorrow. Joy because the message of the Love of God through Christianity gradually was experienced by the people with the
Silsilah 2020 Message in the new Advent and Christmas time of COVID19 Read More »
The sad story of Joselito Envidiado, a 21 year old student, member of a fraternity group in Zamboanga City who died during the “initiation” is a new sad story that we registered last Saturday, November 14. On this occasion Silsilah recalled the time when violence among fraternities and sororities was very visible in the campus
Why violence still among fraternities? A manifesto and our commitment Read More »
When we started the Silsilah Summer Course in 1987 in Zamboanga City, I could not imagine to reach so for from that time every year up to this year. We started on the local level, after Mindanao and National level and along the years became also international with students of different countries. The list of
It was a surprise and joy for us when the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) requested us to attend the Silsilah Summer Course in 1997 in Zamboanga City, Philippines. We have been always blessed by the participation to our courses of bishops and other important and respected leaders of the government, as well as leaders
Remembering the Silsilah Alumnus: Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez Read More »
The recent letter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) invites us in Silsilah to share the reflection of Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D entitled, “Where Pope Francis is Coming From”. He is a great model of dialogue and invites all to overcome “criticism” against the Catholic Church that are done by
New lesson of Dialogue from Pope Francis Read More »
“Fratelli Tutti” is the new encyclical letter of Pope Francis. This new document is divided in 287 points and eight chapters. It is a long document presenting some urgent points and reflections starting from the parable of the Good Samaritan. The “stranger” who helped the one in need (Luke 10:25-37), we read in the encyclic:
Fratelli Tutti: Pope Francis on fraternity and social friendship Read More »
Many of us ask, when will the light appear at the end of the tunnel with this so called, “Coronavirus” with all the implications. We are in a new era of the history and many of us try to write a page in this history, not only trying to be protected by the virus, but
A light in the darkness of Coronavirus Read More »
The news of the death of Sr. Lilian Curaming, today September 10, 2020 has reached fast to so many friends including Muslim friends who have shared their words of solidarity to Silsilah. Sr. Lilian was a great instrument for the promotion of Muslim-Christian dialogue especially in Mindanao. She was very close to Bp. Tudtud and
Sr. Lilian Curaming, FMM: An Icon of Interreligious Dialogue in the Philippines Read More »
We are grateful to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council of Churches for inspiring us with the new document, “SERVING A WOUNDED WORLD IN INTERRELIGIOUS SOLIDARITY”, a Christian call to reflection and action during COVID19 and beyond. See the full document here: https://www.pcinterreligious.org/christian-call-reflection-action-during-covid-19-and-beyond. This inspiring document starts saying: The parable “Good
Serving a wounded world in Interreligious Dialogue Read More »
This year, after 34 years of having an annual program of the Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in Zamboanga City, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement decided to continue the tradition online course with the program of deepening the “Living Faith” of the Muslims reflecting on the “99 Beautiful Names of Allah” for ten weeks (one
In 2013, before the siege in Zamboanga City that destroyed part of the city and displaced thousands of peoples with hundreds of killings, I remember that by a very strange coincidence, Silsilah offered training on “Trauma Healing” for three hundred teachers of DepEd in three different seminars. These teachers during the siege, and had been
A new call to be “wounded healers” in time of pandemic Read More »
The COVID 19 this year has paralyzed a lot of activities and programs. This is true in the life of the big and small groups, and so Silsilah Dialogue Movement is forced to slowdown and do what is possible to continue the mission of dialogue and peace and be a sign of hope. In this
A new Voice of Harmony: Young Leaders for Dialogue and Peace Read More »
The Living Faith- online formation program is a new program prepared by the SIlsilah Dialogue Movement. It substitutes the traditional Summer Course program of Silsilah. It is presented in 20 weeks, 1 episode every Friday, you can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/silsilahdialogue . In the first 10 episodes, the host of this program, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra,
A voice of the “Living Faith” program Read More »
Alarming and disturbing. This could encapsulate our present situation not only in the Philippines but worldwide. Why? Definitely because of the new pandemic Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Corona Virus Disease is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It is a kind of virus that
On 26th of June 2020, Friday, Silsilah will be starting the first episode of the new online formation entitled “Living Faith”. This is a two-part program with ten episodes each. The first part will be focusing on the Muslim’s sharing and insights on the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah while the second part will be
“From Fisherman to Imam” Read More »
Since 1987, Silsilah has been faithful to run a program every year called, “Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim –Christian Dialogue”. This “new normal” in the Philippines and other parts of the world challenge us to offer weekly program on Muslim and Christian’s Living Faith using the online media. Rev. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founder of
LIVING FAITH: An Online Formation Program of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement Read More »
During this time of COVID 19, we need to face many difficult realities and help each other more. On May 24, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of “Laudato Si”, Pope Francis encouraged all to pray for this special year of “Laudato Si”. In this prayer we read: “Now more than ever, may we
Silsilah on the Move | QUIAPO CHURCH: THE REFLECTION FOR RAMADAN ON THE CHURCH’S GATE Read More »
People whether Christians, Muslims, Lumads and other faiths in our country and worldwide faces the same challenge caused by COVID-19. It is not you alone who cannot go out to work for your daily needs. It is not you alone who are bothered what will your family eat for the upcoming days and it is
YOU ARE NOT ALONE: A REFLECTION FROM MARAWI ON COVID-19 Read More »
For the Muslims the month of Ramadhan is always special, but this year “more special” for the Muslims and for all because of the historical pandemic of COVID 19. One of the spiritual obligation of Muslims during Ramadhan is always to share solidarity with those who suffer around them and in the world. Now the
The 2020 Message of Silsilah for the Month of Ramadhan during the Coronavirus Pandemic Read More »
Ten years ago the United Nations launched the World Interfaith Harmony Week for people of all cultures and religions based on the Love of God, the Love of Neighbour and the Love of the Common Good. This initiative is becoming popular in the Philippines, thanks to the Silsilah Dialogue Movement that has popularized it first
In 2010, the United Nations adapted the Resolution 6515 to promote in the world the WIHW saying: Recognizing the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, Recalling with appreciation various global, regional and sub regional initiatives on mutual understanding and interfaith harmony, including the
53 years ago pope Paul VI started the tradition to celebrate the first day of the year as the WORLD DAY OF PEACE. From that time on unfortunately wars in the world have continue, violence and all forms of calamities have afflicted our “mother earth” in many parts of the world. In this situation many
Interreligious Dialogue is “an integral part of the mission of the Church”. This reflection emerged from the Vatican II council (1962-65). Along the years, many still find it difficult to fully understand this mission of the Church. Often, it is taken as an answer of complete in a word and in some specific areas in
Today we are witnessing the reality of the climate change and in many parts of the world there are initiatives taking different steps to answer to this reality. Reading these signs of the times the Catholic Church now is celebrating the “Synod of Amazon” facing different issues, but the most important one is the new
SILSILAH WELCOMES THE SYNOD OF AMAZON AS A NEW PATH OF DIALOGUE WITH CREATION Read More »
Five hundred years ago was still a time of colonization in the world and the time when the Spanish colonizers discovered, conquered and brought the Christian faith in most areas of the Archipelago that they named “Philippines.” Our reflection here is focused on the challenge to make the event of the 500 years celebration a
Silsilah reflection on the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines Read More »
The IN TOUCH newsletter of the Harmony Chain Initiative will be a new beginning that we hope will find many interested to join this important chain of prayer that is known by many as the HARMONY PRAYER. The total war in Mindanao declared by President Estrada in the year 2000 was an alarming news for
THE HARMONY CHAIN INITIATIVE: Moving towards the Twenty Years Read More »
The Catholic Church in the Philippines next year, 2020, will give a special attention to Interreligious Dialogue, Ecumenism and Indigenous Peoples in preparation for the year 2021 when Christians in the Philippines will remember the 500 years of the arrival of Christianity in the Archipelago. The Silsilah Dialogue Movement which started in Zamboanga City in
A new beginning in the Philippines: The Emmaus College of Theology Read More »
Many today are victims of different forms of violence, including the psychological wars even against religions and religious people. ‘Id al Adha, the greatest Muslim celebration is an occasion to appreciate the deeper meaning of the feast of sacrifice, also known as Greater Bayram celebrated at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, on
What are the messages of ‘Id al Adha today? Read More »
The special two weeks program of Silsilah that ended last July 15 was considered by all participants a great experience. Some were Christians: priests, seminarians and teachers, the others are Muslims: ustadhs, imams, alive teachers of DepEd and staffs of different organizations helping for the rehabilitation of Marawi after the siege. The beginning of the
For many years, Silsilah has given formation to the City Jail of Zamboanga City located in the center of the City. After a few years, we have received an invitation from San Ramon Penal Colony located outside the city proper of Zamboanga City. It is one of the oldest Penal Colonies of the Philippines since
A Good Story from San Ramon Penal Colony of Zamboanga City Read More »
We are happy to present in this Oasis News a new primer on Interreligios Dialogue prepared by Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, the new executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commission for Interreligious Dialogue. This primer is published by the Claretian Publications. Fr. D’Ambra in the introduction of this primer says: The year of interreligious dialogue in
A new primer on Interreligious Dialogue: Walking Together on the Road of Dialogue Read More »
A few days ago, on May 20, we went with eighty youths to the place where Fr. Salvatore was killed on May 20, 1992, for our annual visit and prayer on the place of his martyrdom. This year, for the first time, we were able to share to the youth the testimony of Prof. Yusuf
The truth why Fr. Salvatore Carzedda, PIME was killed 27 years ago in Zamboanga City Read More »
Following the Silsilah Dialogue Movement tradition to send a message to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, we are inspired this year by the new document of Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Adzhar University, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. These two great leaders wrote together a document entitled, “Human Fraternity for
Silsilah message of Ramadan 2019 in the spirit of the Culture of Dialogue Read More »
Every Good Friday Christians around the world remember the death on the cross of Jesus Christ and after few days the resurrection. Many times I have reflected on this mystery of the love of God up to death “and the death on the cross.” Last April 19, during the Good Friday, I prayed also for
An open letter of Fr. D’Ambra to the “Balik Islam” Read More »
(Selected quotations from the original document APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO MOROCCO.) The Silsilah Dialogue Movement is happy to share with our friends and those who read our Oasis News around the world the message of Pope Francis during his recent visit in Morocco. As-Salam Alaikum! … This visit is for me an
Today, the interest on Interreligious Dialogue is increasing, but often used as strategy in situations of conflict. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME who, for more than forty years, have been in the front line of interreligious dialogue in Mindanao and started the Silsilah Dialogue Movement in 1984 is convinced that the path to peace has to
A new book on Interreligious Dialogue in the Philippines Read More »
New Zealand today is on the news around the world for the terrible tragedy of Friday, March 15, 2019 . The man who did this terrible act of violence declared that he acted against immigration as “Invaders”. Did he achieve his purpose? Unfortunately, we can say yes, although, we hope the effect will be a
A Silsilah reflection on the tragedy of New Zealand Read More »
In the midst of many alarming news of violent conflicts in Mindanao and trainings to contain violent extremism conducted by international, national and local organizations, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement has organized a special training for fifteen volunteers, some from Zamboanga and some from Ipil, all of them staff and friends of Silsilah. It was a
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” This question can be considered the voice of God to humanity today because we are “killing mother earth.” “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” is a question from the Holy Bible (Gen. 4, 10). It is the voice of God to Cain who had killed his brother Abel (see the story of Cain
What have you done to Mother Earth? Read More »
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement welcomes with joy the new document of Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar of February 4, 2019, on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” The signing following the Holy Father’s speech to the Global Conference on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi, a key element in the Holy Father’s
The news of bombing in Cotabato a few weeks ago and the bombing of the Jolo Cathedral a few days ago and now a bombing in a Mosque in Zamboanga City makes all of us reflect. I don’t enter into details of the different bombings and the dynamic of these incidents. The reasons behind are
Why bombs in Mindanao and how do we celebrate the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW)? Read More »
Often the Silsilah Dialogue Movement presents the call to interreligious dialogue among Muslims and Christians promoting the Culture of Dialogue as a Path to Peace. This is, indeed, one of the signs of the times, especially in Mindanao, but we cannot forget that the spirit of the Culture of Dialogue is not only focusing on
In this last Oasis News for 2018, we present an interview done to Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, the founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement by journalist Cristina Uguccioni and published by the Vatican Insider. Stories of coexistence between Christians and Muslims. A trip to the island of the Philippines, wounded by the Islamic radicalism violence,
Not just conflicts, but inter-religious dialogue takes root in Mindanao Read More »
It is a tradition for the Silsilah Dialogue Movement to share a message to Christians on the occasion of Advent and Christmas time and to the Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadhan and the celebration of the Eid’l Fitr. This message is addressed now to the Christians. The 500 years of Christianity
Message of Silsilah for the Advent and Christmas time 2018 Read More »
In this Oasis news I focus my attention on Mayor Cesar Cortes Climaco to remember the 34th Anniversary of his death. He was killed on November 14, 1984. I remember him as a personal friend and friend of Silsilah. The year of his death is the same year the beginning of Silsilah Dialogue Movement in
Cesar C. Climaco and the Silsilah Dialogue Movement Read More »
There are alarming issues coming from many countries around the world today. If we reflect properly many of these issues are connected to a wrong understanding or use of politics and religions to protect vested interests. The Philippines is not spared by the “abuse” of politics and religions for personal or group vested interest. Mindanao
A Silsilah reflection on Politics, Religions and Conscience. Read More »
On October 8, 2012 Marilou Diaz Abaya, the famous film director passed away living the legacy of a leader able to dream peace and work for peace. She is well known for her famous films, but especially for “ Bagong Buwan” a film with Cesar Montano as major actor presenting the tragic effects of the
MARILOU DIAZ ABAYA and the YOUTH in MEDIA for DIALOGUE and PEACE Read More »
Since 1984 Silsilah has been in the front line of promoting “Dialogue with Creation”. It is one of the pillars of Dialogue that Silsilah has been promoting since the beginning, together with the Dialogue with God, Dialogue with the Self and Dialogue with Others as part of its spirituality, vision and mission. This attention to
Silsilah Launches the DIALOGUE WITH CREATION PARTNERS MOVEMENT (DCPM) Read More »
Jolo has a long history. It is in the Southern part of the Philippines along the Sulu Sea going toward Borneo and Indonesia. It was in that area that Islam arrived in 1380 and Jolo was the center of the first Sultanate organized in the peninsula before the arrival of the Spaniards in the sixteenth
SILSILAH IN JOLO TO REBUILD HOPE Read More »
On September 9, 2013 Zamboanga people were taken by surprise. A siege, provoked by a group of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga City, Mindanao, started from a central part of the city. It lasted for nineteen days destroying almost ten thousand (10,000) houses and displacing almost one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) people
THE SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER AFTER FIVE YEARS: Lessons, Fear and Hope Read More »
The Marawi siege will be remembered in the history as a sad experience of violence in Mindanao. The seeds of violence come from other countries in the name of ideologies of violence using religion as a cover up of some geo-political plans and strategies entered in a more visible way in the nineties in Mindanao
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement welcomes the new Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and invites all to face this new agreement with the proper spirit in the respect and rights of all in Mindanao. A lot has been said and more will be shared to understand this new BOL and its implementations. We in Silsilah take this
The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the Wisdom of the Messages of Cardinal Tauran Read More »
“Peace where are you?” This is the title of a famous play that was performed in Mindanao in the eighties. It presents a story of love in the context of traditions, powerful groups and people. Today I often repeat to myself the same question: Peace where are you?” A few days ago a military of the
Searching for Peace in Mindanao between Martial Law and Violence Read More »
There is a great need to remind all in our society the need to become people of dialogue in the midst of divisions and conflicts. Often dialogue is presented as a strategy, but if we go to a deeper level of the spiritual experience of dialogue it becomes an expression of LOVE. Thus, dialoguer is
The Dream of SILSILAH about DIALOGUE and PEACE? Read More »
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement along the years has formed thousands of Muslims and Christians through different Silsilah Summer Courses and trainings and always the focal point of the formation is the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace. Along the years, we have been exploring how to make this understanding of the Culture of Dialogue to
TULAY BATA for Dialogue and Peace Read More »
