WHAT IS THE SILSILAH DIALOGUE MOVEMENT?
Silsilah is a Dialogue Movement promoting a deeper understanding of dialogue and better relations between Muslims and Christians together with people of other living faiths.
The Movement which started in Zamboanga City in 1984 has a legal personality identified as “Silsilah Foundation, Inc.” It is recognized by the PCNC.
The word “Silsilah” which literally means “chain or link” recalls our spiritual “link”/ “dialogue” with God, Ourselves, Others and Creation as part of the same human family, according to ones own religion.
WHAT IS THE SILSILAH FAMILY?
Silsilah is the first Movement/ Group in Mindanao that, from 1984, has continuously promoted harmony, solidarity and peace through formation and in solidarity with the needs of the people, especially on issues related to Muslim-Christian formation and understanding, to build together the common good in our society. Moved by this mission, Silsilah has built a “family” formed by thousands of alumni, members and friends who have been touched by the spirit of the Movement. In the Silsilah Family there are special groups. They are:
1)THE INTER FAITH COUNCIL OF LEADERS (IFCL) – The IFCL members are respected Muslim and Christian leaders who commit to live the spirit of Silsilah and are willing to be active promoters of dialogue and peace in society.
2)THE SILPEACE YOUTH – “SilPeace” stands for “Silsilah Peace”. The members are students and youth from communities willing to live and promote in schools and communities the spirit of dialogue and peace.
3)THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE (YPDP) – the members are youth of SilPeace and others who, after graduation, get together as young professionals willing to share the spirit of dialogue and peace in society.
4)THE SILSILAH FORUM AREAS/CENTERS – To answer the request of many alumni in Mindanao and other parts of the Philippines, Silsilah has organized groups in many cities in Mindanao-Sulu and in Manila, identified as Silsilah Forum or Silsilah Centers.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL EFFORTS OF SILSILAH TO SPIRITUALLY SUSTAIN ITS MEMBERS?
THE “PERSONALIZED” MEMBERS
They are from different religions (majority Muslims and Christians) who undergo formation in Silsilah and commit to become members of the Movement . As ASSOCIATE MEMBERS they promise to live and promote the spirit of the Movement in society. As REGULAR MEMBERS they also promise to help and assist the Movement in every possible way.
THE EMMAUS DIALOGUE MOVEMENT
The members are only Catholics which the Catholic Church recognizes as an association. This family is part of a bigger family of Silsilah. The Emmaus Dialogue Movement through the years has developed different forms of membership, they are:
- A) THE EMMAUS DIALOGUE COMMUNITY – composed of lay Catholic women who choose to remain celibate and consecrate their life to God in the service of the human family, with the specific mission for dialogue and peace. The members live in communities with vows of commitment inspired by the Beatitudes of Jesus.
- B) THE EMMAUS CIRCLE
The members are Catholic men or women, married or single, priest, sisters and missionaries who live with their families or communities, but are also part of the Emmaus family living the same spirituality of the Emmaus and Silsilah. - C) THE EMMAUS VOLUNTEERS
These Catholics are already committed in other activities of the Church, but are willing to serve as Emmaus Volunteers in living the spirituality of Emmaus. - D) STAY WITH US-YOUTH
The members are youths, who follow the spirituality of Emmaus and grow together by reflecting and praying to understand better and their vocation.
THE “MUSLIMAH”
The members are only Muslims. Inspired by the Emmaus Dialogue Community, Muslim women have started the Muslimah as part of Silsilah. They are married and single women who have a special commitment to live and promote dialogue and peace as Muslims. They are guided by respected Muslim leaders who are members of Silsilah. They commit to be part of the Movement as “Muslim Women for Dialogue and Peace”.