Following a long tradition of Silsilah to send a message to the Christians during Advent and Christmas time and to the Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, we address now this message to the Muslim Umma to renew the “chain” (Silsilah) of friendship , love and solidarity especially in this time when the world suffers most due to COVID19 and other forms of calamities that urges us to remember that we are together part of the same human family, as one “Human Fraternity”.
With joy, we know that this concept of “Human Fraternity” has been reaffirmed in Abu Dhabi in the historical document signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-azhar University, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on February 4, 2019 and recalled by Pope Francis in Iraq this year 2021.
Meanwhile, we are happy of some positive developments of friendship and solidarity among Christians and Muslims around the world and in the Philippines. We cannot ignore situations of violent extremism and terrorism that, in recent times, are done especially by groups who claim to be Muslims guided by their religious beliefs. We know that this situation makes most of the Muslim brothers and sisters very sad also in the Philippines.
In this context, the Christians in the Philippines who, this year, remember the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines cannot ignore that along the years also some Christians have used violence in the name of their faith. That was a historical time that Christians have to remember with sorrow renewing the spirit of friendship proposed by the document of Vatican II, Nostra Aetate, that tell us:
“Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom. (NA 3)
Yes, we are invited to “forget” but also to “remember” that we cannot repeat mistakes of the past and even of the present done by those who use violence, especially justified by any religious motivation. Thus, we invite all to face the future with hope as Pope Francis is doing, as well as other good leaders of different religions are doing.
Silsilah, this year, in the spirit of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines will conduct online the 35th Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines- Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue (CBCP-ECID) on “LOVE AND HATE IN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM: How to Transform Hate to Love and be an Instrument of Peace in the midst of Violent Extremism and Terrorism” (For more details, you may visit, www.silsilahdialogue.com).
We know that also some Muslims in the Philippines are celebrating with pride their faith from the time Christians arrived in this part of the world. Meanwhile, Christians and Muslims celebrate with “pride” their faith, we encourage all not to forget the mistakes of the past to build a better relation as part of the same, “Human Fraternity”.
May all of us continue to live with joy, our faith but also live with humility convinced that faith is, first of all, a grace of God to be nurtured with prayer and penance. We are called to accept and respect the plurality of religions and we are invited to pray:
“O Lord, sustain my vision of peace Following Your inspiration,
You have many ways of revealing Your
Presence and love for humanity,
But Your style is constant,
You are in dialogue with all, You care for all.”
(a part of the Harmony Prayer) Silsilah Dialogue Movement
