Inviting MILF, ASG to harmony, peace
dialogue a big challenge, says Silsilah

Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, Silsilah Dialogue Movement founder.

Inviting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, Abu Sayyaf, New Peoples Army and other insurgent groups to interfaith harmony and peace dialogue will be a big challenge, the Zamboanga City-based local organizers of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIFHW) 2012 celebration said.

"It's an idea, a crazy idea, but this great idea can also to my mind on some other occasion. I think no matter how the things they (rebels) do they probably can tell us us why they are doing this," Silsilah Dialogue Movement founder Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra said during a press conference with local media on Monday.

But D'Ambra doubts if they can easily achieve a harmony with the said rebel and militant groups "because that will be a miracle, only in the Philippines, this miracle can happen." He said in spite of this a reflection of something can be done together.

"Of course, no promises of any but just a kind of sincere sharing with some. If their real leaders can not come because they're afraid they can send somebody to tell us that this is their (of Abu Sayyaf, MILF and others) voice. We will see what will happen. That's a great challenge to us," he said.

For Professor Ali Yacub, Muslim convener of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), the challenge to invite the Abu Sayyaf, MILF and other groups can be done but the challenge not to be arrested them especially those wanted and with warrant of arrest is a very impossible thing.

"We can guarantee the invitation but by not arresting, we can't guarantee," said Prof. Yacub, also the president of Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates (GCCPBA).

The United Nation General Assembly encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world's churches, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during the week long celebration.

It is based on love of God and love of one's neighbor or on love of the good and love of one's neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.

Former school superintendent Dr. Abdurrahman Keno of the Department Education explained that the purpose of celebrating WIFHW is to create awareness on all people of the world that there is such harmony through interfaith dialogue.

"I can say without any contradictions that if there are hundreds of Abu Sayyaf, there are 10 or 20 more of them who are real Muslims that subscribe to harmony and dialogue through interfaith dialogue," he said.

Prof. Alzad Sattar, another organizer of WIFHW, said the idea of inviting the rebels and others to interfaith harmony and peace is possible but in a different level. "This is a challenge for us. We should not stop until we die insha-Allah (in God's will)."

But a local human rights and peace advocate who specializes international humanitarian law and rules of engagement opposed the idea of inviting Abu Sayyaf and NPA to interfaith dialogue, saying that terrorists will not respond to the invitation and do not want to be recognized as a group.

He instead challenged the media to reaching out to rebels through radio, television and newspapers.

"We can not invite a group purely Abu Sayyaf, NPA or international terrorists under Bin Laden, although we can conduct a forum in a particular barangay, where they will join the masses, the group of people, without identifying themselves," he said. -- Hader Glang

ASFP, DSWD meet in Zambo to review

World Bank funded projects in ARMM

ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo (sitting extreme right) convenes his staff and their DSWD implementing project partners from provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi at Garden Orchid hotel in Zamboanga City. HG

Officials and project staffs of the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP)and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) ARMM gathered here for a three-day catch up-planning workshop on Program Implementation Agreement No. 009-AF.

ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo convened their project implementing partners from provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi headed by DSWD Secretary Hja. Pombaen Karon-Kader of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

"We are meeting our main project implementing partners to review the implementation plan of additional financing for ASFP under the Community Development Assistance (CDA) and to also make sure that the projects are implemented as per planned and completed on time," said Sinarimbo.

The ASFP has been carrying out community-based infrastructure projects and services through its two components, the CDA and the Institutional Strengthening and Governance (ISG).

"These are community-based infra like warehouses, dryers, water system, health stations and many others being implemented in partnership with DSWD ARMM Secretary Kader, where those targeted villages based on criteria and through the people's organization, are given the opportunities to implement the projects," he added.

To date, the project manager further said "Right now, ASFP is covering 240 barangays plus the 213 under the Phase 2... we also had project staffs recruitment in Lanao del Sur after the qualifying examination and we have more examinations for Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi."

Over a year ago, the World Bank approved a $30 million additional financing package for peace and development projects aimed at enhancing access to social and economic infrastructure and livelihood opportunities, improve local governance and institutional capacity in ARMM.

In the additional financing, five hundred ninety-six (596) barangays in 108 municipalities of ARMM such as Maguindanao, Lanao Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan shall be provided assistance which will be equitably allocated based on population.

ASFP has been consistently acknowledged by the World Bank for performing well and adopting the policies and guidelines set forth in project implementation. Its project life will be extended to May 31, 2013, with the additional financing. HG

2nd Week - January 11, 2012

AN OPEN LETTER FROM FR. SEBASTIANO D’AMBRA TO MUJIV HATAMAN, THE NEW OIC OF ARMM, AND A SILSILAH ALUMNUS 1997

Dear Mujiv,

Allow me to share my joy to know that you, one of the alumni of the Silsilah Summer Course, has reached this position as head of the ARMM. It is not the first time that a Muslim or Christian alumnus of Silsilah has occupied an important position in Philippine society in one of the institutions or universities. I wish to share with you in this open letter not only my joy but also my hope. Allow me to share as a father or a mentor to one alumnus and friend who is dear to me, and can help to move efforts in the same direction of dialogue and peace.

The last time we met was in Harmony Village few years ago and you reminded me that you are one of the Silsilah alumni. We are proud of this. You are now in one of the most difficult and challenging positions in the country. It is a position that can facilitate the peace process or continue the situation of violence and corruption in Mindanao. You can legitimately take pride in the notable achievements which are part of your “heritage” as a Muslim and a Mindanawon but this same heritage also has negative elements which includes violence that reached its highest level on the occasion of the Maguindanao Massacre.

Observing your first moves in your position as ARMM OIC I sense that you are doing your best. “Padayon!” (Move on!) This is the word of encouragement that you still remember for sure from the Silsilah experience.

Most of the time people believe that if we have more security structures and more money we can solve the problem of peace in Mindanao. This is only partially right. You know how much money has been given to ARMM over the years and how many thousands of soldiers have been assigned in Mindanao. But what have been the results? It is commonly believed that the National Government and the ARMM have to improve the “truth and sincerity” in their relations and make it the real foundation of peace and development.

We will support you in all the wise moves you will make to help the central government realize that only a real and genuine autonomy, or a similar form of governance, can be made as an example in Mindanao and hopefully applied in other regions as an appropriate form of “federalism” or similar system in the Philippines. You have the challenge to convince the people of ARMM to claim what is right, but with a realistic attitude that considers the real development of Mindanao , where the indigenous people and others who have reached Mindanao from other areas have rights too.

Dear Mujiv, you know better than I how complicated is the situation, but I know also that you have courage and determination. Use all your gifts and talents to become a model of a leader who is in the front line for the “common good” and not the “common corruption and violence “ that bring more poverty.

Remember the Silsilah commitment to promote the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace based on personal and social transformation. People around you have to learn how to be good Muslims or good Christians, living and promoting love and compassion. How many times we find hypocritical leaders who act as though they are good Muslims or good Christians, but their hearts are still full of hatred, violence and corruption. We need righteous people in society starting with the leaders. I hope and pray that you will be one model in Mindanao.

Dear Mujiv, I need not add more points in this open letter. You know what is best and I am sure you will continue to do the best.

Allow me to end this open letter with a suggestion. From 1977, the year I arrived in Mindanao, up to now I have seen the struggle of many good Muslims and Christians to overcome historical conflicts, new prejudices and forms of mistrust, among the two faith communities, including the lumads in Mindanao. But so far the results have been limited because many of them are part of the “silent majority” who are afraid to share their feelings on anomalies carried out by some leaders of sectors of society; illegal businesses; corruption, etc. Doing it in this way violence allows more violence and fear , which continue to perpetuate the “culture of silence and fear” . We have to overcome this critical situation in all possible ways.

One way to start can be to follow the encouragement coming from the United Nations to celebrate the first week of February every year as the “World Interfaith Harmony Week”. This move of the United Nations was inspired by the open letter of 138 Muslim scholars of the world to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christians leaders of the world to work together for peace, starting from the message of the love of God and the love of neighbor in Islam and Christianity as it is found in the teaching of the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an.

We in Zamboanga City and in the ZAMBASULTA sub-region are moving in this direction in partnership with the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines which is the lead group of this special Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration. I hope you will spread this celebration in the ARMM region as a good starting point to celebrate Harmony as the answer to the future peace of Mindanao.

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME (Sgd.)

Hataman to political rivals: 'Forget politics

first and help me fix ARMM problems'

ARMM officer-in-charge-Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman stresses a point at a Thanksgiving or Duwa'a held in Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province last Saturday. Behind him is Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahul. Hader Glang

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman has asked his political rivals to forget politics first and help him to fix the problems hounding in the autonomous region.

Speaking at a Dua’a (Thanksgiving) held in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province on Saturday morning, Hataman told the crowd that ARMM is a broken region because of too much politicking.

"This is the challenge that must be fixed within 17 months, so I plead to you. We will only succeed in our quest for reform in ARMM if you are there and if there is cooperation from all sides," Hataman said.

He stressed that there is no room in his heart and thoughts for revenge on his political rivals because it will only divide the people and does not benefit anyone.

Citing the effect of excessive politicking which operates in DepEd ARMM, Hataman said it had greatly destroyed on the educational system in the region.

“DepEd is broken not because of teachers and educators but due to politics. All the projects are not properly implemented...no justice in our towns because of too much politicking," he added.

For this very reason, the ARMM chief caretaker said until now, he has not appointed regional secretary to the DepEd ARMM. “I do not need a doctor of education, though it’s needed later.

"What I need is a daring person and fearless who has a strong heart to change the system and trends within the DepEd,” he stressed.

Hataman further said he is determined to eliminate corruption prevalent in DepEd within 100 days of his administration and to do significantly to improve the quality in education in 17 months.

He noted that good governance, socio-economic development, and peace and security are the main thrusts of his administration under the “matuwid na daan” or right path campaign of President Benigno Aquino III.

“We will not disarm that is not the solution, but the question is how to regulate the firearms which is the solution,” Hataman said, referring to his proposed general amnesty on loose firearms.

“This is what we will do. I will ask our President to have a general amnesty on firearms within ARMM,” he added.

On the first marching order from President Aquino to stop illegal loggers operating in the region, Hataman said the investigation involving the shutting down of seven sawmills in Kapai town, Lanao de Sur is ongoing.

He said he poured in enough funds to the newly reinforced Task Force Ranao headed by Brig. General Daniel Lucero to engage in an all-out offensive against illegal logging in the province.

He expressed confidence that many positive things will happen in the region. He continued saying that he just wanted to lead by example in ARMM, where a completely peaceful and prosperous region, was his dream.

“But I’m not dreaming this much, simply just wanted to regain the honor and dignity of Muslims," he said. “If we can't change the structure of ARMM, at least, we can change the perception from outside ARMM. I promised you that I am determined to reform ARMM. Join me to achieve this goal,” he concluded. HG

Thanksgiving Day in Basilan

Former Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist Representative Mujiv S. Hataman's appointment as officer-in-charge (OIC) regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) gave hope and a feeling of optimism to the people of Basilan Province. On Saturday, thousands of people from all walks of life including religious leaders, local government officials, civil society members and teachers of Basilan and its towns flocked to Tabiawan in Isabela City to hold Thanksgiving or Dua for the newly installed ARMM chief caretaker. Hader Glang