MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 01 (PIA) – A consultative dialogue for peace with a theme “Dialogue and Hope: Our Key to Peace” kicked-off the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) celebration in the province.
The dialogue spearheaded by the Lanao del Sur People’s Council (LDSPC) was held at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room last November 27, 2013.
Hadja Nabihah “Noni” Lao, executive director of LDSPC, said the dialogue was aimed to call for collective action among all stakeholders in the promotion of lasting peace not only in the province but also in the whole Mindanao.
“I believe that through the guidance of Almighty Allah/God, we can be promoters and key servants of peace by holding hands and working together, regardless of race, religion, profession, and culture,” she said.
KASALIMBAGO Chairman Professor Salipada Tamano who explained the history of the MWOP celebration underscored the relevance of the dialogue’s theme.
“We need to maximize and double our efforts in promoting dialogue and hope in order for us to catch-up and possibly be comparable to the other regions in the country,” he said.
Tamano said the MWOP celebration was a result of the organization of the Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) more than ten years ago by Mindanao religious leaders to promote dialogue among the religious groups in Mindanao.
“The problem in Mindanao and in the country is nothing but a problem of misunderstanding between religious sectors that must be replaced by better understanding and promotion of mutual respects and reconciliation,” he said.
In line with this, Tamano said, Presidential Proclamation No. 127 declaring the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year as the MWOP was issued.
According to him, the Proclamation enjoins and encourages all concern government agencies and instrumentalities including government owned and controlled corporations as well as members of the private sector and civil society to conduct meaningful activities in celebration of MWOP.
The peace dialogue also featured updates on the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro (FAB) presented by Major Carlos T. Sol, Head of JCCCH, GPH-MILF Peace Talk.
In addition, awarding of recognition to the men and women of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and 103rd Infantry Brigade, and civil society organizations who have contributed to the peaceful and honest conduct of the recent national, local, and barangay elections in the province.
The peace dialogue was graced by the local chief executives in the province, representatives of line agencies, civil society organizations, security forces as well as youth leaders and media practitioners.
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