ASIA/PHILIPPINES – The mission and educational efforts of the ‘Silsilah’ movement for Islamic-Christian dialogue
Zamboanga del Sur (Agenzia Fides) – In the south of the Philippines, especially among the poorest and most disadvantaged families, distrust, prejudice and suspicion between Muslims and Christians can creep into families. This is why the Movement for Islamic-Christian Dialogue “Silsilah” (meaning “chain”), founded in the southern Philippines by Father Sebastiano D’Ambra, missionary of PIME, confirms and resumes its educational commitment with the aim “to be in solidarity with all peoples, reaching out to the poorest, building a just and ecologically healthy human society”, says a note sent to Fides by the Movement. The note takes stock of more than thirty years of educational commitment, based on the promotion of the spirituality of dialogue in four pillars: dialogue with oneself; dialogue with God; dialogue with the neighbour; dialogue with Creation.
The first “Silsilah school” was built on the island of Santa Cruz in 1989, precisely to facilitate access to education for poor families, mainly of the Islamic faith. A few years later, other institutes or campuses were opened in the different communities of Zamboanga d as in Pitogo, Baluno, Mampang, Paniran and Sant Catalina. Silsilah schools have been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, now the Ministry of Education, as private educational institutions.
“Our school operates in the spirit of building bridges and serving people, which is the very essence of the spirit of dialogue and peace. Education is a means of promoting the culture of dialogue, a path towards peace which plays an important role in the development of a holistic education of learners,” notes the note from the Movement.
In the post-Covid era, institutions face challenges: According to research by UNICEF, an estimated 27 million students in the Philippines have lost more than a year of in-person learning at cause of the pandemic. “This crisis has really called into question the education system of our country. It has made us realize the importance of making learning still easy and accessible to all”, can we read.
During the 2022-2023 school year, the elementary school “Silsilah” resumed all its educational activities. Silsilah Elementary School’s main campus is located near Zamboanga City’s famous “Pink Beach”. “Teachers live their professional commitment as a mission because they want to serve the community, despite the challenges they face. Their mission is not only to transmit knowledge, but also to teach children to be respectful and welcoming, to build peace through dialogue to help change their own lives, those of their families and the whole community,” says Silsilah. “We try to integrate the values in each area of learning. In the educational process, we can achieve and promote what the Silsilah movement wants, especially by bringing people, Christians or Muslims, back to God, by experiencing of spiritual harmony and peace between Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths. Our teachers are truly passionate and strive to live what they teach in their daily lives,” says Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra.
The Italian missionary recalls that teachers have a profound influence on children and young people, which extends well beyond the hours of classroom teaching: “They help to shape and inspire the minds of young people, influencing their hearts and souls. They help others learn through giving alone, without expecting anything in return. This is one of the most beautiful things about teaching, an area in which Silsilah continues her commitment.” she concludes.
The Islamic-Christian movement “Silsialh” has been active since 1984 in the southern Philippines, a region where a high percentage of the Muslim population is concentrated: in a nation of 110 million citizens, 90% of whom are Catholics, about 6 million he inhabitants profess the Islamic religion and are gathered mainly in the “autonomous region Bangsamoro”, a territorial entity which includes six provinces in the south of the Philippines: Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/10/022)
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