COTABATO CITY—Mindanao’s religious leaders gathered here from Jan. 16 to 17 to express their common vision for peace and issue a joint statement on the Mindanao State University-Marawi bombing incident in December of last year.
In a dialogue with the theme, “Peace is Coming Home through Harmony and Solidarity,” ulama from the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta’ and Catholic bishops came together in solidarity and declared their full support to the Philippine peace process.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. who was among the event’s guests of honor, emphasized the need for unity among members of the country’s different faiths, as this will be crucial in achieving genuine peace in Mindanao and across the country.
“This interreligious and interfaith dialogue brings hope and bridges diversity,” Galvez said in his remarks, as he noted the crucial role of ulamas and bishops in the government’s peacebuilding efforts.
He also recalled the significant contributions of the late Davao Archbishop and former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President, Fr. Fernando R. Capalla in promoting interfaith dialogue, as he strongly advocated for peace, justice, and unity.
“Si Archbishop Capalla, siya po ang naghaharana kapag mainit na ang negotiations sa peace table,” Galvez recalled.
As the peace adviser discussed the milestones and challenges in the implementation of Bangsamoro peace agreements, he asked for the continued guidance and support of the religious leaders in fostering a culture of peace in the region.
“Though we have accomplished a lot in terms of pushing forward the Bangsamoro peace process, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. We must not be complacent…violence and armed struggle have no place in our civilized society,” he said.
“Harmony, dialogue, and mutual respect must reign in us, despite our different views and beliefs,” Galvez added.
During the meeting, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, urged Mindanao’s religious leaders to continue holding such interreligious dialogues.
Ledesma underscored that the joint Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by Pope Francis and Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azher in February 2019, “is the bedrock of the peace process.”
Speaking on behalf of the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta’ Dr. Muhammad Nadzir Ebil, an Islamic Jurist expressed their support to the interfaith spiritual partnership for peace.
“Islam, is rooted in peace which also means safety and security”, emphasizing that violence will not be tolerated in Islam, Ebil said, adding, “We reject all types of extremism, politicizing, and terrorism.”
Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua threw his full support behind these peace dialogues, saying these “are really important in achieving an agreement, creating a peaceful environment.”
On Wednesday, January 17, participants to the interfaith gathering drafted and issued a joint statement on the MSU-Marawi bombing incident last December 3, 2023.
Supporting the statement were Galvez, Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua, 6th Infantry Division Commander MGen.l Alex Rillera, HWPL Philippines Manager John Rommel Garces, and other peace advocates and workers.
In a press conference at the sidelines of the event, Rev. Edwin de la Peña, Bishop of the Prelature of St. Mary’s Marawi, noted that the bombing incident is something that needs to be faced head-on by the interfaith community.
For his part, Ebil said that the explosion in Marawi has no place in the Muslim and Christian faiths, stressing that Islam and Christianity are religions of peace.
