On March 12, 2011 (Saturday) March 12, 2011 (Saturday) 8am-5pm
For the first time, the Muslim & Christian youths of Culiat and Tala were gathered together through The Peacemakers' Circle in a whole-day session amidst the lush forest park of the La Mesa watershed in Fairview, Quezon City.
The youths from the two communities are participants of the 10-session Strengthening Interfaith Youth Leadership training-- supported by the United Religions Initiative (URI) Bowes Award program-- which began in October 2010 and will culminate on April 2011. Twice a month the two communities held their sessions separately but now the 70 youths have had the opportunity to interact with their Muslim and Christian counterparts from the other community.
The session was facilitated by Ms. Sarah Queblatin, together with co-artist Russell Maier, and Peacemakers' Circle coordinators, Orlan de Guzman, Jr. and Alan Berguia.
The youths were engaged in dialogue and heart listening, as well as community arts and co-creative mandala installation.
Towards the end of the day, the session was concluded with a closing ritual in a circle around the community art work where the youths touched the ground and in interfaith prayers, affirmations and silence offered blessings and healing to the Earth and all beings, especially those who are facing hardships amidst social and environmental conflicts.
Special thanks for the full support of the Muslim-Christian Peacemaker elders of Tala who lovingly guided, accompanied the youths and prepared the food for everyone!
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