On May 9, 2018, we celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement. It is our desire to give a special attention to this occasion to strengthen the many links/chains (Silsilah) that the Movement has initiated along the years.
Those who ask us if the situation is improving in the area of dialogue and peace in Mindanao and especially among Christians and Muslims, we often say that today the situation is deteriorating also in many other areas of the country. Interfaith dialogue is becoming more difficult in spite of the fact that we recognize many good efforts done by many individuals and groups to build better relations between Muslims, Christians and Indigenous People.
There are those who are surprised of this evaluation and ask: “but what have you done along these years?” The answer is: “Without us and many other leaders and groups that have emerged in the last 34 years from the beginning of Silsilah in Mindanao, things now can be more alarming.”
The good thing of today is that many, including politicians and militaries are convinced of the importance of dialogue for a sustainable peace. The great challenge for us in Silsilah today is to tell all that it is not enough to do something that can be considered a program or an activity of “dialogue” but it is more important to build a good foundation to this dialogue. This is the great challenge that Silsilah shares, to remind all that dialogue is not only a “strategy”, it is especially” spirituality”.
Silsilah, since the beginning, presented a vision that is based on the understanding that “dialogue starts from God and brings people back to God”. This is the starting point of the spirituality that Silsilah promotes. It is the spirituality of life-in-dialogue with God, with the self, with others, and with creation.
This spirituality is channelled through formation and action based on the “Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace”. This presentation of dialogue, path to peace, for us, is an invitation to see reality around us and to answer this reality with courage and hope.
In this context, we are spreading our vision and mission to all levels, including children of Kindergarten with a program called “Tulay Bata” for Dialogue and Peace. In fact, all the schools and Kindergarten of Silsilah spread in poor areas of the city of Zamboanga, including the Elementary school of Sta. Cruz Island, are called “Tulay Bata”. In the next few days, we will present this approach of “Tulay Bata” to all the DepEd (Department of Education) Kindergarten teachers of Zamboanga City.
With this spirit this year, on May 9, we launch the theme: “Silsilah, a Sign of Hope in the midst of Divisions and Conflicts”.
Yes, it is true that the situation is more difficult today, but we believe that we can face it because we are many who believe that we have to build peace and Silsilah continues to share its mission.
For a very providential coincidence, the United Nations in 2010 launched The World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) to be celebrated every first week of February of the year based on “Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the Common Good.”
Silsilah, since the beginning, has been in the front line to promote this initiative because we believe that this initiative can help to guide people to the right direction and it promotes what we believe and it is the central part of our vision and mission that we have been promoting since 1984.
We are also happy that friends of Silsilah have helped to make this initiative part of the vision of the country bringing it to congress and senate and since 2013, we have the Republic Act (No. 10525): “An act declaring the First Week of February of every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) in the entire country and mandating its observance by the different Government Agencies.”
This development help us to spread on the National Level the WIHW and this year on this occasion of the Anniversary of Silsilah, we have invited delegates from different parts of the country to come to Zamboanga City for the 1st National Gathering of the WIHW partners and delegates. Among those who will give messages for this event is Fr. Chito Suganob, a good friend of Silsilah, to reaffirm the need to continue to be a “Sign of Hope in the midst of division and conflicts”, despite of the sad experience for him and all of us during the Marawi Siege and other alarming news.
This special year of Silsilah in prepration of the 35th Anniversary of Silsilah next year on May 9 is a time to tell to all: “Do not be afraid…” move guided by the spirit of a radical love for a radical change.