Muslim and Christian youths in the grassroots communities of Tala in Caloocan and Culiat in Quezon City have been getting together in their respective communities since October to participate in the "STRENGTHENING INTERFAITH YOUTH LEADERSHIP" Program of The Peacemakers' Circle.
This training program is part of the interfaith peace- and relationship-building work of The Peacemakers' Circle, and is being conducted in partnership with the United Religions Initiative (URI) in Southeast Asia-Pacific with funds from the URI Bowes Award that was granted to The Peacemakers' Circle in 2008 for this project.
Around thirty to forty Muslim and Christian youths (ages thirteen to twenty-five) from each of the grassroots communities of Culiat and Tala get together in their respective communities each week to sit in a circle and engage in inner work and self-awareness exercises that promote dialogue and heart listening for Muslim-Christian relationship-building. They reach out beyond their comfort zones to get to know each other, create a safe space and common ground where they can honor and respect each other's differences (while appreciating what they have in common), and bend over backwards in physical, mental and spiritual exercises that enable them to center themselves on the ways of peace.
The weekly three-hour sessions are looked forward to with much anticipation and joy by everyone involved in this project--the youth leaders as well as their elders--who take pride in being part of a transformative force for good in their community. They are working hand-in-hand in the community in support of each other's endeavors for peace.
It is with much hope that we at The Peacemakers' Circle carry on in this journey along the path of peace in the company of these inspiring young Muslim and Christian grassroots leaders who are well on their way to becoming a growing force for unity in diversity and harmony in our midst.
May our tribe increase, and may the Force be with us always!
-- Marites Africa (Nov. 15, 2010)
In the photos (top to bottom)--
1 & 2. L-R : Reaching out, bending over backwards in "Stillness in Motion"
3. L-R: Alan, Orlan, and Edmark (youth leader)
4. Members of the MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN YOUTH FOR PEACE &DEVELOPMENT of Tala
5 to 8: Muslim and Christian youth leaders in action together
