This is the weekly "Oasis News" of Silsilah Dialogue Movement for our friends and linkages printed also to a local newspaper of Zamboanga City (Mindanao, Philippines). It is our way to maintain the LINK (Silsilah) with you. You can find this news and the previous Oasis News in our official site www.silsilahdialogue.com. Feel free to publish this news if you find it relevant. We appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thanks.

2nd Week - December 14, 2011

Muslim-Christian foster parents renewing their commitment for dialogue and peace

Commitment is all about engaging oneself sincerely to a certain role one chose to have. It is one way of building trust, camaraderie and establish in a strong sense of dialogue towards a common goal with others. In order to sustain one’s commitment one should assess and evaluate how far and how long can one go on with the kind of commitment one undertakes.

On December 10, 2011, Silsilah Dialogue Movement spearheaded another activity which is the Renewal of Commitment for the Foster Parents. Foster Parents are known to be regular members of Silsilah. They are families who cater and assist the participants of the Silsilah Summer Course which is being held from April to May. Participants of Summer Course stay for immersion in their homes of Foster Parents for 3 days. For a Muslim participant, he/she should stay in the house of a Christian Foster Parents and for a Christian participant, he/she should stay in a Muslim Foster Parents. The Foster Parents live in different communities under the umbrella of Silsilah like the communities of Sta.Catalina, Sta.Cruz Island, Sinunuc, Pitogo, Caragasan, and Lower Calarian. The Renewal of Commitment is also one way of recognizing the partnership of Silsilah with the Foster Parents. Families who are members for more than 10 years and 20 years were given Certificates of Recognition during the Renewal of Commitment.

The existence of the Foster Parents in the communitygives more emphasis on spreading the mission of Silsilah which is to live the essence of one’s faith and bear witness to the values of one’s religion and traditions; to be in dialogue with all peoples, regardless of the culture and faith, promoting a Culture of Dialogue with particular emphasis on spiritual values; and to be in solidarity with all people in the uplift of less privileged. In the building up of progressive, just, humane and ecologically sound society.

Every individual who is able to share their own unique experience gives a great impact to other people.  Being in touch and a witness of a true way of life of a certain individual inclusive of their belief, faith and religion is one concrete way of saying that dialogue is indeed possible in our society. And knowing the fact that there are individuals who are willing to sustain and go on with their commitment is the fruit of a mission, the mission of promoting Culture of Dialogue as Path to Peace.