4th Week - January 25, 2012
Local Media, Teachers, Youth and Leaders: One in Celebration of Interfaith Harmony Week
The National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP) conducted the World Interfaith Harmony Week-Press Conference and Speakers’ Orientation on January 23, 2012 at the Diamond Room, Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City. Media personalities from Zamboanga Press Club Inc.,
Different questions regarding the rationale and different activities during the Interfaith Harmony Week and issues on historical and present conflict in Mindanao among religious groups were raised by the media members to the panel of speakers composed of Prof. Alih S. Aiyub, secretary-general of NUCP and director of Silsilah Dialogue Institute , Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founder of Silsilah Dialogue Movement , Prof. Alzad T. Sattar, Muslim coordinator of InterFaith Council of Leaders-Basilan, Dr. Aboulkhair S. Tarason, the chair of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines and Atty. Moh. Taha S. Arakama , OIC city director of DILG Region IX. The press conference highlighted the significant role of Media in peace building and its power and influence in molding a harmonious society. Media as a main source of information will also play an important role in informing the domestic citizens regarding celebration of the Interfaith Harmony Week and the relevance of Dialogue in the pursuit of peace.
The whole-day activity also aims to orient different involved groups of their roles and tasks in the different activities of the Interfaith Harmony Week which will be on February 1-7, 2012. Teachers from Zamboanga City High School Main, Regional Science High School, Claret School of Zamboanga City, Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School , Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Western Mindanao State University-Integrated Laboratory High School and Southcom National High School and leaders from different non government and government organizations like Interfaith Council of Leaders , Commission on Human Rights, Interreligious Movement for Solidarity and Peace, Silsilah Dialogue Movement , DILG, ZAWRA, Emmaus Circle, NISA , Salaan Police Center, Cultural Arts and History Council took part in the training and workshop given by different resource speakers.
Prof. Alzad T. Sattar gave the talk “Present Reality” and “Continuing Violence” which focused on the different conflicts in the world because of misunderstanding among faiths and the historical conflict of Christians and Muslims in Mindanao; Prof. Alih S. Aiyub provided the different methodology and approaches in teaching concepts regarding interfaith harmony; Fr. Sebastiano D’ Amra, PIME discussed the Interfaith Harmony Week Primer that contains basic questions, and answers regarding the Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration and the president of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, Ms. Aminda E. Saño, presented a workshop to the participants regarding what initiatives can they implement in line with Interfaith Harmony. The discussion will equip the different facilitators with the skills, wisdom and values in brining the concept of interfaith harmony in schools, offices and communities.
The Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration in the city is a support to the United Nations(UN) proclamation of the WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK BETWEEN ALL RELIGIONS, FAITHS AND BELIEFS. This is a resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the 34th plenary meeting of October 20, 2010 based on love of God and love of one’s neighbor or the love of good and of one’s neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions and convictions.