Madaris Gurus and Catechists’ Gathering held

Silsilah Forum Davao conducted a gathering for Madaris Gurus (Muslim religious educators) and Public School Catechists last August 10, 2013 at NationalEducatorsAcademy of the Philippines (NEAP), Department of Education (DepEd) Region XI, Quirino St., Davao City. The participants of this gathering were the two batches of Madaris Gurus  and Catechists who had attended the dialogue and peace seminar-workshops in 2010 & 2011. Formation of religious educators on the Spirituality of Dialogue, Path to Peace is a key component in the Movement’s mission of promoting dialogue among peoples of various faiths.

This formation program on the Spirituality of Dialogue, Path to Peace for Muslim and Christian religious educators was inspired by the recent document “A Common Word between Us and You.” The said document written in October 13, 2007 was an open letter written by 138 Muslim scholars and religious leaders addressed to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders focusing on the love of God and of neighbour as the basis for ongoing dialogue between Islam and Christianity. It calls for peace between Muslims and Christians and tries to work for common ground and understanding between both religions, in line with the Qur’anic commandment: “Say: ‘O People of the Scripture! come to a common word as between us and you: that we worship none but God” and the Biblical commandment: “love God, and one’s neighbour.”

Silsilah Forum Davao Core Group is ever grateful to everyone who graced the gathering as prayer leaders and resource speakers as follows: 1. Rev. Fr. Ramon Claro Mendez, OP; 2. Aleem Mahmod Mala L. Adilao, Regional Chair, Ulama League of the Philippines, Southern Mindanao;3. Rev. Fr. Pete Lamata, Director of the ArchdiocesanCenter for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue (ACEID); 4. Aleem Maulana Mando of Jamaa At-Tablig; 5. Mr. Roy Enriquez, Regional Coordinator, Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE); 6. Ustadz Haroun Ranain, Division Coordinator, Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE); 7. Ms. Vergie D. Saniel, Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry Coordinator, John XX111 Catechetical Center; and 8. Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, Convenor, Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC).

Silsilah Forum Davao is also grateful to the Madaris Gurus and Catechist participants and representatives/sharers on their inspiring and challenging day-to-day life of dialogue. For everyone, the challenge of dialogue is a lifestyle and a commitment that should be sustained and nurtured! Coming together to learn, to pray, to share stories of life and dialogue as Muslim and Christian religious educators is a very rare experience, a strong witness of life-in-dialogue and peace! Padayon!

By Mercedita Tabuclin/Contributor