Mindanao, a collection of gifts for poor Muslims strengthens inter-religious dialogue
Zamboanga (AsiaNews) - To strengthen Muslim-Christian dialogue, the Silsilah youth movement has organized a collection of toys and clothes for 80 Muslim children of the small island of St. Cruz off Zamboanga (Mindanao). The initiative is part of Silpeace program, which annually involves young Christians and Muslims in seminars and charitable activities in the poorest areas of the region which has a Muslim majority.
Vanessa Andica, coordinator of the program explains that young people spent a week collecting among the population of Zamboanga clothes and toys donated by charitable people of both faiths. On 29 May the gifts were handed out to children of St. Cruz. According to the Andic the visit was an opportunity to bring the children a bit of joy and help the development of their families. They only have contact with tourists visiting the island, often inattentive to the public. Through this initiative, the population is not left alone and isolated from the world and young Silpeace volunteers have the opportunity to experience the friendship and charity.
The island of St. Cruz is a natural paradise famous for its pink beaches and is about 1 hour from the city of Zamboanga. Despite being a major tourist destination for years, its inhabitants, mostly Muslim, are ignored by local authorities and live in conditions of extreme poverty. In 1989, Silsilah built a school for children in response to the expressed needs of families. It is still the only institution on the island. It is run by a group of Catholic teachers and educators. Its courses are approved by the Ministry of Education and to go from kindergarten through to elementary.
Founded by Father Sebastiano D'Ambra (PIME), Silsilah for over 20 years has organised projects and initiatives such as the Bishop Ulama Forum and training for young Christians and Muslims. In recent years the movement has become a reference point for the ongoing reconciliation between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which for 40 years fought a war which cost over 100 thousand lives.
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