Manila - Mindanao-based Christian and Muslim peace advocates renewed their friendship bonds at the Harmony Village in Zamboanga City, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said Thursday.
An article on the CBCP website said the meeting was part of Silsilah Dialogue Movement`s annual Renewal of Commitment last Dec. 12 to 14.
The theme of the meeting was "Experience," which brought together themes of past years that included hospitality, openness and prayer.
Sr. Marion Chipeco, one of the renewal organizers, the dialogue centered on the continuing hostilities between government troops and Moro rebels in Muslim Mindanao.
The discussion on the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domains (MOA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front topped the agenda, she said.
Chipeco said the members came from the Sulu Archipelago, Central Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, the Zamboanga penninsula, Basilan and Zamboanga City.
"(They) shared their individual experiences of dialogue as they recounted both the joys and difficulties of living a life of dialogue," she said.
"It was very comforting and inspiring that in spite of the `atmosphere` created by the current political situation in these parts of the country, Muslims and Christians who have accepted the ideals of Silsilah would come together to recommit themselves to these ideals,"
she added.
Chipeco said at least 15 Muslims and Christians were accepted as new members of the SDM.
The Muslims received a Tasbi, the prayer beads used by Muslims to recite the 99 names of Allah, while the Christians received rosary beads.
Among the new recruits, six persons were accepted as associate members and they were given white prayer shawls.
"More than anything, the 2008 Renewal of Commitment once again showed that dialogue brings people back to God and to one another`s embrace of friendship," Chipeco said.
Source:
http://www.gmanetwork.com (December 19, 2008)