Tuesday, September 26, 2006 Madaris gurus, catechists gather for 'Culture of Dialogue' seminar
WHAT could have been a first in the history of peace and dialogue in Mindanao occurred recently at the Harmony Village -- site of many efforts geared towards the attainment of peace -- when Madaris gurus and catechists stayed in one roof for a "Culture of Dialogue" orientation-seminar made possible through the initiative of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, in coordination with respected Muslim leaders here in the city.
The gurus and the catechists - all 43 of them -- had successfully undergone a three-day basic orientation seminar workshop held early this month, at the Oasis of Dialogue Training Center inside the Harmony Village in Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, PIME, head of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, which has been actively promoting Muslim-Christian dialogue some 22 years ago in the Philippines, sees the gathering as a breakthrough in their effort to nail the Culture of Peace initiative in its rightful place - among the pedagogues and their schoolchildren -- even as he is hopeful that this first-ever gathering of Muslim and Christian teachers will bring about greater appreciation of the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace.
In an interview with newsmen, Fr. D'Ambra underscored the need to create a foundation on which path to peace could be built upon. "We want to create a foundation of respect and trust on which to build communities of peace and dialogue," he said.
Bong Aranal, director of Silsilah Dialogue Institute, in the same interview stressed that the gurus and the catechists can be effective in teaching the Culture of Dialogue since they are the frontrunners in teaching values formation among schoolchildren.
Aranal said: "The seminar workshop will serve to inculcate the principles of dialogue and peaceful interaction among the participants," he said.
At least 22 catechists and 21 gurus of madaris attended the seminar, where distinguished members from the academe served as resource persons, like Dr. Erdulfo Fernando who discussed on the rationale and objectives of the workshop; Prof. McCormick Dinggi, who talked about Inter-religious Dialogue: A Muslim Perspective; Ahmad Alawaddin, who discussed the Culture of Dialogue: Personal and Social; and Aminda Saño, who briefed the participants on the Culture of Dialogue: The What, Why and How.
Silsilah has been at the forefront in creating opportunities where Muslims, Christians and members of other living faiths come together in the spirit of mutual trust and respect.(UI)
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