Mindanao Week of Peace: Building Strong Relationships Amid Diverse Religions

On November 27, the Bishops-Ulama Conference held its annual interreligious dialogue: the Mindanao Week of Peace Forum at the UCCP Crossroads, Davao City with the theme “Toward Human Fraternity for Peace in Mindanao”, the event gathered important church leaders from different religions, brothers and sisters in the Lord, and some students to discuss the importance of peace amid the diverse culture and religion in Mindanao.

The forum began with Father Pedro P. Lamata, the director of Archdiocesan Center for Interreligious Dialogue (ACEID), taking the center stage to speak up some special message. “Kalinaw, Mindanao!” [Peace in Mindanao] He opened and the crowd followed after the father’s statement. Father Lamata reiterated the event’s theme and added, “The establishment of fraternity which produces peace among religions is very essential towards building a better Mindanao today.”

“Likewise in August 14, 2019, a peace summit was held at the Ateneo de Davao University where our resource person is one of the prime leaders. One of the major decisions in the promotion of peace through dialogue was to adopt the Abu Dhabi Document as the basis of their respective advocacies. We are greatly inspired by this decision. Thus, our main objective in this forum is to study, reflect, and appreciate the contents of the Abu Dhabi documents that will lead all of us to consider taking actions for genuine peace in Mindanao,” he continued.

After the special message, Father Joel E. Tabora, President of Ateneo de Davao University, took the stage to share what he has to say about the matter. Father Joel E. Tabora emphasized the importance of the role of religions in the construction of world peace which upholds the following: 1) the firm conviction that authentic teachings of religions invite us to remain rooted in the values of peace, 2) freedom is a right of every person, 3) justice based on mercy is the path to follow, 4) dialogue – understanding and the widespread promotion of a culture of tolerance, 5) dialogue among believers means coming together, 6) protection of places of worship, 7) terrorism is deplorable and threatens the security of people, 8) there should be equality, 9) good relations between East and West are necessary, 10) recognition of the right of women to education, employment, and other fields, 11) protection of the fundamental rights of children, and lastly, 12) the protection of the rights of the elderly, the weak, the disabled, and the oppressed.

The President of Ateneo said that the will of God is for terrorism, misunderstandings, and quarrels between Christians and Muslims to end which makes this dialogue between people of different religions very important to tolerate differences and spread love and respect. (Robert Ramirez, Sheila Mae Sumagang, Julie Mae Taguno)