SILSILAH FORUM OF DAVAO

Life-in-Dialogue, It’s Possible, It’s Happening!
By: Nor Asiah Madale Adilao
Silsilah Forum Davao Muslim Coordinator
The Silsilah Forum Davao convened at Samson Technical Institute, Davao City on January 22, 2011.
The annual gathering of alumni and friends aimed at sharing of concrete experiences in living out life-in-dialogue; celebrating the first year anniversary of Silsilah Forum of Davao Center; launching of the song: “Life-in-Dialogue, It’s Possible! It’s Happening!” and strengthening and deepening of commitment to the spirituality of Silsilah.
The gathering started with an interfaith prayer. Pastors, Priests & Archbishop, Imams and Ustadz with their members, foster parents, gurus, catechists and Fr. Sebastiano D’ Ambra, the founder of Silsilah, were present.
Aleem Mahmod Adilao shared about how Muslim communities perceived the Bishop Ulama Conference (BUC) program before, until they began to appreciate it and live with it as they believe that all religions envisioned for peace. The highlights of the SFD’s programs and activities for the year 2010 were shared to the participants through short video presentation.
Archbishop Fernando Capalla quoted, “Only beauty can save the world”, for beauty has the element of orderliness, integrity, wholesomeness. He added that Beauty builds friendship; friendship builds family; and family builds community. Towards this stage, we have to be together in dialogue.
The launching of the song composed by Fr. Hermes Larry B. Sabud, SM, “Life in Dialogue, It’s Possible, It’s Happening!” followed. The song was inspired by the Spirituality of SILSILAH which he composed during the Renewal of Commitment in Zamboanga last December 2010.
Meanwhile, Fr. Amado Picx Picardal,CSsR who once attended one of the Silsilah’s summer courses gave an Input on Life in Dialogue, It’s Possible, It’s Happening. Fr. Picx expressed that in order to continue making the dialogue happen, commitment is necessary to sustain the spirit of dialogue.
The participants had their chance to share their respective ideas in a smaller group; summarized their sharing into one word and shared them to the bigger group.
Fr. D’Ambra pointed out the Silsilah’s present state and its possibility to be present in many places even be heard over Radio stations by February 2011. He said that working for peace has earned a lot of criticisms, priests were criticized, even Pope. But we need to give signs of hope to the people.
The gathering, indeed, was a real manifestation of living out life-in-dialogue.