TAIZE...a channel for peace and dialogue

by: Nor Asiah Madale Adilao
Muslim Coordinator, Silsilah Forum-Davao

Much has been done to foster solidarity and understanding among different religious and cultural groups in our society. Various inter religious movements arose; more and more religious leaders came out and converged for one common cause- dialogue.

In my years of involvement in interreligious gathering, I realized that I am just one of the few ordinary people who dream for a peaceful world, the world shared by many who come from various culture and orientation. I said “few” because out of the countless number of people from different faiths and overwhelming number of initiatives for dialogue and peace, there is a greater number of individual who remain deaf to the call for unity, refuse to take part of it, and continue to be blinded by their deep seated biases and prejudices.

My journey brought me to a personal encounter with the Taize Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth, an in depth community prayer and reflection led by the brothers based in France. The said activity was conducted last February 3-7, 2010 in Don Bosco, Makati, Philippines. The Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference-Youth Secretariate invited me to co-facilitate the activity on Interreligious Dialogue and represented the Muslim community for my sharing on dialogue in Davao City context. Having seen Catholic priest, a sister from the Indigenous group and myself as a strong follower of Islam, who shared the same aspiration for peace and dialogue, still I am amazed how these people of different orientations become real partners in peace building.

The two day experiences marked another step higher in growing and understanding the essence of dialogue. As a Muslim, I could not forget the warm hospitality of the Congregation of Sisters of Dorothy who accommodated us. It was a great feeling to be welcomed with a joyous heart. I was especially moved when all of us spent some time in a prayer, a moment so quiet where I could almost hear nothing but my own thoughts and my earnest desire for a lasting peace with these people from all walks of life.

When Fr. Efren Reyes of the Missionary of Jesus (religious community), presently assigned in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, shared about his experience in dialogue of life, and his life as a priest in the community where majority are Muslim- Maranao , I realized how challenging it is to sustain one’s individual and unique ideology while maintaining a wholesome relationship with people from other faiths.

It was indeed a journey which gave me the venue to clarify certain issues involving Christians and Muslims. The participants were particularly interested on different misconceptions against Islam and Muslims and I was most pleased to share with them my life and my own faith and how a Muslim could participate in the efforts on peace building.

I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the MSPC-YS for trust and support bestowed in me as I continue to take part in our quest for solidarity through dialogue.