This morning I attended the launching of “Sowing for Peace in Mindanao”, an inititiative calling everyone “to pray fervently and demonstrate Muslim-Christian and interfaith solidarity for peace in Mindanao and to call for the immediate cessation of hostilities which bring suffering to civilian communities”. Scores of people attended the event at the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Monument in Quezon City.

The cermony began with an interfaith prayer participated by representatives from different faith traditions (Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and others.) It was heartwarming to see people of diverse culture and creeds coming together as one community and committing themselves to the healing of our country, the earth and humanity.

After the prayer, the participants read the Interfaith Manifesto for Peace. The following is the full text of the Manifesto.

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Because we believe that PEACE IS POSSIBLE.
Because we acknowledge, at our present time, the opportunity to transform the culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence.
Because this transformation demands the participation of each and everyone of us from every sector, every religion, culture and ideology.
Because we feel the urgency to put an end to the decades-old conflict in Mindanano which has caused the loss of lives, homes and livelihood to Muslim, Christian and Lumad communities.

WE PLEDGE IN OUR DAILY LIVES, IN OUR FAMILIES, OUR WORK, OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR COUNTRY AND REGION TO:

1. “Respect all life.” Respect the life, dignity and sacredness of every human being without discrimination or prejudice to any gender, tribe, religion, culture or belief.

2. “Reject violence.” Practice active non-violence, rejecting violence in all its forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economic, social and political.

3. “Share with others.” Share my time and material resources with others and use our combined resources for non-violent, compassionate action to manifest love and justice among all beings on Earth.

4. “Dialogue and listen to understand.” Always choose dialogue and listening in appreciation of the richness of our cultural and religious diversity.

5. “Protect and heal our mother earth.” Promote consumer behavior and development practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature on the planet.

6. “Strengthen solidarity.” Be sensitive to the suffering of others, especially the marginalized and displaced, and exert our full efforts to contribute to building peace in Mindanao where Muslims, Christians and Lumads can live together in harmony and mutual respect for each others’ rights.

WE STAND, UNITED AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS - MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS AND LUMADS - TOGETHER WITH OTHER RELIGIOUS AND FAITH TRADITIONS AND JOIN THE CALL:

For the immediate stop of hostilities in Mindanao.
For the protection of civilian communities.
For the members of the Peace Panel to go back to peaceful negotiation and dialogue to find lasting solutions to the issues and roots of the Mindanao conflict.
For all concerned sectors to participate in continuous dialogue to reach lasting peace in Mindanao the soonest time possible.

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Image credit: Jeff Bauche._.·´¯).