COTABATO CITY — Civil society, religious and indigenous people’s organizations marched shoulder to shoulder in the streets of this city on Thursday, November 27, to jumpstart this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace celebration.
Spearheaded by the Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference (MiRLeC), a multi-faith organization, the Walk for Peace is among the series of activities lined up for the week-long MWOP.
The event was also supported by the Archdiocese of Cotabato and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), which is leading the overall conduct of the Mindanao-wide event that will run until December 3.
With the theme, “Multi-Faith in Families and Youth: Hand-in-Hand for Peace, Harmony, and Justice in our Homeland,” this year’s Week of Peace aims to highlight the key role of families and the youth in promoting the culture of peace, solidarity and inclusivity.
The participants, waving flags and bearing banners with peace slogans, converged with students from different schools and proceeded to Notre Dame University (NDU), where a formal program was held.
Strength in unity
In his message of support, OPAPRU Presidential Assistant for Bangsamoro Transformation Cluster David Diciano reminded everyone that the collective quest for peace is not just an aspiration, but also a celebration of solidarity among Mindanaoans.
“Mindanao is our homeland. We share the same history and struggles. Just like the rivers that cross the island regions, our paths always converge. We must all, therefore, walk hand-in-hand,” Diciano declared.
“May we move forward with renewed courage and hope. To our young people here, keep your courage alive, raise your voices, and let your creativity be a positive influence in your communities,” he said.
In his welcome address, NDU President Fr. Francis Zambala underscored the need for all stakeholders to set aside their differences, unite and work together in order to sustain the gains of peace in Mindanao.
“If only the world, despite our differences, people could come together in peace, and bring all their gifts for everyone to benefit from. What a wonderful world this will be. Therefore, we must strive for peace. We must work for peace. Work with God. Walk with each other,” Zambala said.
Faces of peace
Fr. Clifford Baira, DCC, who represented members of the Christian faith as well as tri-people organizations, highlighted the many faces of peace and how families and the youth are helping to push forward the peace process in their communities.
“Kapag pag-uusapan natin ang kapayapaan, maraming mukha ito. Peace is not only an absence of war. Sa circle ng mga kabataan at kapamilya, ang kapayapaan ay ipinapahiwatig ng maraming mukha…,” Baira noted.
“Kaya, we want to address the other faces of peace when we talk about our ongoing engagement with the peace process, in our situation with the Bangsamoro in our community. We need to harmonize our peaceful co-existence as a tri-people,” he said.
Fostering harmony
Meanwhile, Dr Norkhair Ebrahim, who represented the Muslim community, called on members of different faiths to set aside their differences and work hand in hand in the pursuit of genuine and long-lasting peace.
“Sa panahon ngayon, kung saan ang ating komunidad ay binubuo ng Muslim, Kristiano, Lumad at iba pang kultura, ang pagkilala sa ating pagkakaiba ay hindi hadlang kundi tulay upang maabot natin ang tunay na pagkakaisa,” Ebrahim stressed.
Nelsa Cornelio, a tri-people representative for the IPs, asked for the full support of everyone so that their people can effectively manage the affairs of their community and address pressing challenges, such as those concerning their land.
“Ninanais din namin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa aming mga pamilya, komunidad at sa lipunan. Batid natin lahat ang mga komunidad ng mga IPs ay lubusang nabiktima sa nagdaang sigalot ng giyera,” Cornelio shared.
She cited the strong support given by IPs to the Bangsamoro peace process, saying, “Sinuportahan naming ang Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) sa paghahangad ng kapayapaan, kaunlaran at sariling pagpasya sa sariling lupain.”
The launching ceremony of the Mindanao Week of Peace culminated with the lighting of candles by representatives from the tri-people organizations to symbolize their unwavering commitment to fostering peace in the Bangsamoro.
Among the faith-based groups that participated in the program were the Peace Mindanao Project, the Islamic Relief Philippines, the Jesus is Lord District 6, the OND HESED Foundation, Inc., and Tripod.
