The Silsilah Dialogue Movement has kept a tradition of sending a message to the Muslims during the month of Ramadhan and a message to the Christians on the occasion of the celebration of Advent. Following this tradition, once again Silsilah shares a message of peace to the Christians who, starting November 29, will enter a special time of the liturgical year called Advent. It helps to prepare Christians for the coming of Jesus the Emmanuel, (God among us) on December 25, as all Christians in the world celebrate.
One of the special prayers during advent is “Come, Emmanuel!”. In a special way this year 2009 the Christians have to pray for the coming of the Emmanuel in the midst of calamities and conflicts in the Philippines and other parts of the world.
The Muslim members and friends of Silsilah, who respect Jesus as a great prophet and Messiah, are in solidarity with the Christians, especially in this time of history when the Muslims scholars of the world have sent an open letter to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders of the world encouraging them to move together for peace on the basis of the mission to love God and love our neighbor as taught in the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Bible. The letter says “The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the one God, and love of the neighbor…”.
May the Advent season become an occasion for the Christian to act according to the teaching of Jesus who promotes justice, peace and reconciliation.
May the Christmas spirit this year be celebrated with sobriety to share more with those who are suffering in the Philippines and other countries because of natural calamities, violence and the greed of politicians and business people who oftentimes put aside the common good of people for their own interest.
May Jesus remind all of us, Muslims and Christians, of the exhortation of the Vatican II council that says: “Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Muslims, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom” (Nostra Eetate, no.3).
May Muslims and Christians who believe in peace in the spirit of dialogue send a clear message with our life and commitment to build together a future of peace.