Madaris Gurus & Catechists Seminar Workshop

 

---

We will post the schedule of the next seminar.

The Silsilah Dialogue Movement, through the Inter-faith Council of Leaders (IFCL) of Zamboanga, gives special attention to the formation of religious educators for dialogue and peace. The Movement for the last 24 years has been giving formation programs to encourage Muslims to become better Muslims and Christians become better Christians. In 2006, a number of Muslim Madaris gurus and Christian catechists were initiated into this program with the hope that more groups and follow-up activities will be organized in the future. The Madaris (plural of Madrasa School) provide basic education on Islam and the Islamic teachers (gurus) have significant influence in forming the minds and hearts of the young Muslim students. In the same way the Christian catechesis provide the basic teachings on Christianity in schools and parishes and the catechists have the responsibility to be the guide and model of their young students in the Christian way of life. One of the most recent documents which is a sign of hope for Muslim Christian dialogue is “A Common Word” wherein 138 Muslim scholars and religious leaders wrote an open letter addressed to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders focusing on the love of God and love of neighbor as the basis for ongoing dialogue between Islam and Christianity. This open letter is a challenge that Silsilah welcomes and treasures as impetus in its mission for dialogue and peace. IFCL wishes to bring this significant development to the awareness of the Muslim gurus and Christian catechists through this seminar workshop.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To build friendship based on sincerity, sensitivity and solidarity among the Christian catechists and Muslim gurus.
2. To make them aware of the recent ongoing dialogue between Muslim and Christian religious leaders and scholars through the Open Letter “A Common Word”.
3. To share the experience of Silsilah and to encourage each one to share their own stories as religion teachers and their experiences on inter-religious dialogue.
4. To encourage them to live and promote the culture of dialogue, path to peace.
5. To encourage them to teach their respective religions through a dialogical approach in the spirit of deep respect and openness.
6. To challenge them to be guide and model to their young students while educating them to the concept and practice of the love of God and love of neighbor according to the fundamental teachings of Islam and Christianity and together build a civilization of the common good.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:
January 11, 2010 (Monday)

2:00 PM- Arrival and Registration
3:00 - Coming together/ welcoming each other, overview of the Program & sharing of expectation
3:30 - Break
4:00 - Orientation to the Silsilah Dialogue Movement
- Madaris Gurus and Catechists in the Mindanao Context
6:00 - Prayer time
7:00 - Fellowship Dinner
8:00 - Viewing of the Documentary for “God’s Peace” and Group Sharing

January 12, 2010 (Tuesday)

5:30AM - Symbolic Tree Planting & Dua’ spontaneous prayer (Media Center area watching the sunrise)

8:00 - Session 1: “The Christian Mission and the Islamic Dawa: (Open Forum will follow)
10:00 - Break
10:30 - Round table discussion:
“The Challenge of Inter- Religious Dialogue: Recent documents on Christian-Muslim Dialogue” (Nostra Aetate/Open Letter of 138 scholars and November 2008 Forum in Rome).
12:00 - Fellowship Lunch
2:00PM - Session 2:“Basic Orientation on the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace” 3:00 - Break
4:00 - Workshop: “ Christian and Islamic Teachings: Past and Present Challenges and Hope
for The Future”
5:30 - Integrative Silence & Reflection / Prayer
7:00 - Fellowship Dinner
8:00 - Group Report on Workshop Outputs and group creative presentation.

January 13, 2010 (Wednesday)

6:00AM- Spontaneous prayer/dua’ & Presentation of the Harmony Chain Initiative
7:00 - Breakfast
8:00 - Recap of the previous day
Round table discussion: “Integration of the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace in Madaris Gurus’ and Catechists’ Religion classes (Moderator: Dr. Estrella P. Macrohon)
Open Forum with the core group team
10:00 - Break
10:30 - Evaluation, Suggestions, Recommendation and follow-up action plan
11:30 - Closing Program
12:00 - Lunch
INFORMATION

This Seminar-workshop is offered to Madaris Gurus and Catechists recommended by the core Group of this program.
Those who are chosen and qualified for this program are welcome. Registration and accommodation fees will be sponsored by the IFCL.
The participants are committed to re-echo the seminar-workshop to other Madaris gurus and catechists of their own area. Some will be chosen as trainors to support the core group.

CORE GROUP OF THE PROGRAM

CHRISTIANS
Ms. Aminda E. Saño
Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME
Mrs. Salvacion E. Herrera
Dr. Estrella P. Macrohon
--------------------------
MUSLIMS
Ustadz Shariff M. Jullabbi
Ustadz Abdullah S. Ebrahim
Ustadz Saber A. Omar
Ustadz Garson A. Hamja
----------------------------
For more information please contact:
MS. AMINDA E. SAÑO
USTADZ GARZON HAMJA

Telefax: (062) 991-8712 / 991-5942
E-mail Address: silsilahdialogue@gmail.com
Website: www.silsilahforum.org
www.silsilahdialogue.com