SILSILAH ACTIVITIES AND OCCASIONS
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SILSILAH DIALOGUE MOVEMENT
Through the years, Silsilah created various programs and activities to promote the culture of dialogue as path to peace in Mindanao, Philippines and to the world. All individuals, families, groups and organizations that are involved in the movement are committed and dedicated to contribute and participate in inter-faith activities of the Movement. Along the successful years of this inter-faith dialogue, more members and linkages have evolved. And on its 30th year anniversary, Silsilah continues to believe that in Recognizing the uniqueness of each religion, people are called to undergo a process of spiritual growth by continuously discovering God’s dialogue with humanity. It is a call to live the spirituality of life-in-dialogue and to witness God’s presence in the plurality of cultures and religions as a habitat and an experience that leads to dialogue and peace.
RENEWAL OF COMMITMENT 2010
Those who join the Silsilah Dialogue Movement are people who believe in the vision of Silsilah of ” a life –in-dialogue for all Muslims, Christians and peoples of other living faiths in respect, trust and love for one another, and moving together towards a common experience of harmony, solidarity and peace”. This commitment to Silsilah’s vision calls for a life which is often challenged by events taking place in one’s milieu. To keep the commitment strong and fervent Silsislah members, those who can, come together yearly to renew bonds of friendship and most important of all, to draw strength from each other in fidelity to the vision and renewing the commitment to the vision. The gathering of members also highlights the stand that “we are family… bonded together by our deep desire and dream for PEACE through commitment to DIALOGUE.” The renewal of commitment usually takes place in December. For 2010 the date was December 12. Some 200 Muslim and Christian members and friends of the Movement came to Harmony Village from various places, particularly Mindanao.
26TH SILSILAH ANNIVERSARY AND INAUGURATION OF CENTER FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE
May 9 is the official date of Silsilah’s foundation and usually marked with a small celebration. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, Silsilah’s founder and a great friend of Fr. Salvatore, during an interview said that, “This year, we moved the date of the 26th anniversary celebration of Silsilah to May 20 to give way to the preoccupation of the people in the election and to remember Fr. Salvatore who died on that day in 1992. I am happy with the developments in the movement and that more people in the national and even at the international level look to Silsilah as a sign of hope not just in the Philippines but also in Asia. Regardless of the fact that we live in the midst of the difficulties we experience today, dialogue continues between and among people of different faith traditions, particularly among Muslims and Christians.”
SUMMER COURSE ON MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE
25TH YEAR OFFERING OF THE SILSILAH SUMMER COURSE ON MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE
The first time the course was offered in 1987, out of the downtown office of the Silsilah Dialogue Institute, it was a single course focused on Muslim-Christian Dialogue. Named the Silsilah Basic Course on Muslim-Christian dialogue, it gave participants from the two faith communities more knowledge about Islam and Christianity, in the firm belief that knowledge led to better understanding and thus, more harmonious interactions between Muslims and Christians. The month-long course was very well received and to accommodate interested individuals who could not stay for a whole month to attend the course, a telescoped version was designed. The shorter week-long course, named the Intensive Course, covered essentially the same topic areas but did not include certain activities. A third course was eventually added, this one covering a week-long seminar on a topic related to dialogue and the quest for peace in the world and particularly in Mindanao. This is now referred to as the Silsilah Special Course. The Basic Course, the Intensive Course and the Special Course now constitute the Silsilah Summer Program.
SILSILAH DOCUMENTARIES
IN SEARCH FOR MORE
When Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME started the Silsilah Dialogue Movement in 1984 in Zamboanga City, one of his first concerns was to build dialogue and peace on a spiritual foundation. That initial understanding of the vision and mission of Silsilah – to live and promote the spirituality of life-in-dialogue with God, with self, with others and with creation – became the starting point of the many reflections on the Culture of Dialogue founded on the moving inspiration of God’s love for humanity.
https://youtu.be/Kr0V1WiCkf8https://youtu.be/bybeg0UsldQ
SILSILAH FOR GOD’S PEACE – BY MARILOU DIAZ ABAYA
Fr. Sebastiano D’ Ambra (PIME) takes us through his experiences amidst the conflicts in Mindanao and the dream of going on with the journey to peace through dialogue that brings together Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths to work on their mission of peace and harmony for all.
Dialogue starts from God and brings people back to God – Silsilah Dialogue Movement
Give me, O lord the courage to live in dialogue in the midst of divisions and conflicts and to build peace with all people of sincere hearts who believe in your love and compassion.. amen.
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A LINK TO ALMIGHTY – SILSILAH VERSION
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Part 2
A LINK TO ALMIGHTY BY CATHOLIC RADIO TVNET
ISLAMIC DA’WAH AND CHRISTIAN MISSION
A COMMON WORD BETWEEN US AND YOU
SILSILAH YOUTH FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE
Silsilah Dialogue Movement believes that there’s a way to change this cruel reality. There is a way to peace. Silsilah believing on the significant role of the youth as leaders of tomorrow formed the SilPeace Youth Program. The SilPeace Youth Program conducts different activities that focus on the youth sector. These activities encourage young people to participate in peace building and to be involved in different societal issues. The Silsilah Youth Program aims to promote the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace among the youth – Muslims, Christians and other living faiths – so as to sustain peaceful and harmonious relationships among them even as they belong to diverse religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. SilPeace believes that there is hope in peace and the youth is the hope of the land.
13th harmony Youth Day
YOUTH FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE
YOUTH FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE – CAMPING
TRIBUTE VIDEOS
FR. SALVATORE CARZEDDA PIME 1943- 1992
MARILOU DIAZ ABAYA TRIBUTE -DECEMBER 8, 2012
INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF LEADERS (IFCL)
This initiative has for its general goal the harnessing of Muslim and Christian leadership from different sectors in the community for the promotion of dialogue and peace, with the following objectives: – To provide a venue for Muslim, Christian and other faiths leaders to reflect, express and share their views on certain issues that affect inter-faith relationships. – To identify relevant social issues and problems, generate ideas and possible solutions, and contribute to their implementation for the common good. – To become dialogue and peace movers who are able to influence the community through their life and action.
BASILAN AN ISLAND OF HOPE
Basilan, an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is the largest and northernmost islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. The land of basilan serves as a home to three main ethnic groups, the Yakans, the Tausugs and Chavacanos. Basilan is a melting pot of diversed culture and religion. It is one province in a setting that reflects the true description of an island paradise endowed with natural bounties, it has been called by merchants and travelers as an island of hope. But in the present time, when people are challenged by differences of faith, religion, belief and the like, the beauty and richness of Basilan was tainted by violence and conflict. labelled by media as a place of terrorists and war, the people of basilan continue to dream and work for peace that someday, this image will be erased in the minds of the people. That only peace, love and understanding shall reign within the land.
HARMONY CHAIN INITIATIVE
There is answer in Prayer… In the midst of division and conflict, The Harmony Chain Initiative was initiated by the founder of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, Fr. Sebastiano D’ Ambra, PIME. Believing that peace, an important answer to the problem, is a gift from God through prayer and also a commitment through personal transformation. The Harmony chain aims to link people of every age, nation, and religion in continuously praying and building for peace. “Peace starts from God and brings People back to God” Participants commit to a regular time for mediation and prayer for peace, individual or with a group in any form familiar to them Any person, family or group coming from different cultures, nationalities, religions, sectors and walks of life can participate as long as they believe in the power of meditation and prayer to bring peace and transformation in their hearts. “Cry Peace with your Life in Dialogue” Harmony Chain is an initiative of continuous prayer for 24 hours a day, a chain of holding hands and burning hearts united in praying for peace, a chain of people united to God and to one another, a chain of freedom, respect and love to break the chains of torture, violence, slavery and fears Harmony chain is now present in 38 countries all around the world
HISTORY OF THE HARMONY CHAIN INITIATIVE
JOIN US TO PRAY THE HARMONY PRAYER
HARMONY PRAYER SONG
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK-ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES
The World Interfaith Harmony Week between and among all religions, faiths and beliefs proclaimed by the United Nations Organization in 2010 is great opportunity and a challenge for us in our religious duty to promote it in today’s chaotic and materialistic world. the United Nations proposed to celebrate this event on the first week of February every year “encouraging all states to support on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques , synagogues, temples and other places of worship on the foundational teachings of love of God and Love of Neighbor” (UN General Assembly November 2010)
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2020
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2019
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2017
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2018
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2016
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2015
https://youtu.be/AQesj0H-G-Ehttps://youtu.be/DDRgRa-wGdo
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2014
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2013
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2012
https://youtu.be/MZU1zcBhdC4https://youtu.be/MZU1zcBhdC4
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
2013 GOI PEACE AWARD SILSILAH DIALOGUE MOVEMENT
The Goi Peace Foundation bestowed the 2013 Goi Peace Award on the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, a grassroots initiative promoting interfaith dialogue and peace in the Philippines. The annual Goi Peace Award honors individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious world for humanity and all life on earth. Created in 2000, previous Goi Peace Award recipients include James Lovelock, Oscar Arias, Bill Gates, Deepak Chopra and Helena Norberg-Hodge. The selection committee has chosen the Silsilah Dialogue Movement for the Goi Peace Award “in recognition of its many years of commitment to promote dialogue for peace and solidarity among Muslims and Christians in the Philippines. The dedicated efforts of the members of the movement have not only advanced the process towards lasting peace in their communities, but have inspired many people around the world with an example of true dialogue based on spirituality.” (videocourtesy of the Goi Peace Foundation)
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Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, recipient of Bukas Palad Award 2010
Tribute video for Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, recipient of Bukas Palad Award in memory of Fr. Manuel Peypoch, S.J. at the 2010 Academic Convocation, Ateneo de Manila University.(Video courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University)