Dialogue for Peace

A Reflection by Joahna Via Grace Saurez.

Whenever I went home to my hometown my neighbors would question me where do I study. Their face would be full of shock and horror right after I respond to them. It is because a shy and fragile lady like me would want to stay in a place where danger is imminent. Then, later I would answer, “Public man gud. Tapos, naa pud didto akong program na gusto. (It is a public university, and my wanted program is offered there also)”.

I am currently studying in Mindanao State University – Marawi Campus. This is located in the only Islamic City in the Philippines where “violence is well-known,” as people outside would say.

Just like them, I also am curious as to why of all universities, I was brought here. Yet, I realized that it was God all along who has called me to be here. God brought me to a Christian community that envisions a reconciling presence among my Muslim brothers and sisters. Without me realizing it, God already sent me a sign a long time ago.

It was when I was invited to be one of the speakers in a Life and Spirit Seminar in Awao, Monkayo. Before the said event, while I was praying and asking for guidance for my upcoming talk, God answered me by filling me with His love. Considering that that is my first ever experience, I don’t know how can I handle it. It seems new. Later, He sent me an explanation – He wants me to spread His love. I thought that that message is only for that particular moment. Now, I realized, it is for a lifetime.

Fast forward, last May, our chaplain invited me to this Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in Zamboanga City. As a lady who does not want to spend her summer doing the same routine, and does not want to waste the opportunity of acquiring new knowledge, with God’s grace, I was able to join him.

Honestly speaking, I was not really hopeful of the vision and mission of the course, considering that everyday I am seeing why Muslims and Christians specifically will not have reconciliation. Knowing the recent bombing in Dimaporo Gymnasium in MSU-Marawi last December 3, 2023 where there were a lot of casualties while we were having our Sunday Mass. Other than that, there is always this adjustment in our part as Christians because we are a minority. Furthermore, I often see us doing the effort for interfaith dialogue, while the other party seems indifferent. Witnessing those, made me conclude that it is really impossible. Peace is impossible.

So, I carry this desire for dialogue to be truly present, not only as a goal in the paper. Thankfully, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement made me see it.

They made me understand what dialogue truly meant. Dialogue is a two-way process and does not mean compromising, rather, an enrichment of one’s faith. Dialogue does not mean conversion, but growth. And this movement does not meant uniformity, but unity amidst diversity.

The Summer Course made me understand the religion Islam, because as what Rev. Benson said, “You cannot embrace the other if you are ignorant”. By filling our misconceptions and judgments, I am able to understand them. At the same time, our Muslim brothers and sisters were able to understand our faith through the sessions. It is very wonderful to experience and see the presence of Jesus in them.

Through the smiles, jokes, and charity, I am able to erase my bad experiences with some of them. It led me to a realization that I should not generalize people based from my experience. Even though, I have more bad experiences with the other party, does not mean all of them are the same. There are still people who’ll welcome you with their smiles, empathize with you when you’re feeling down, joke around to cheer you up, and give you their spare of dessert because they know you wanted it so much.

I thought that I will be forever surrounded with people that will only pollute the mind of this shy and fragile lady, but thanks be to God because He made me see that there are those who are willing to purify it. Right there and then I realized, I am only looking at a place where the unwanted attitudes are dominant. I forgot to look at the other side, where goodness prevails.

My encounter with them made me remember the good times with my Muslim classmates. It made me remember that my classmates are also an exception. It made me realize that other’s fault is not their fault because according to them, Islam is a religion of peace, and doing otherwise is not in accordance with their teachings. The tragedy is not due to religion but because of the manipulations of the persons in power to find reasons to their inhumane act which is one that continuously embedding a scar to the humanity. 

Yes, peace is impossible. But with a willing heart and trust, we can do it. In fact, it is already happening.

Thanks to Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME who opened the curtains and windows, to let me see hope. Through his experiences and words of encouragement, I was moved with deep courage to do the mission towards human fraternity.

And if you’ll ask me that from hearsays I am hearing, and from all the bad things I see, why do I still continue? I mean from all the things we undergo, why we in the Prelature of St. Mary in Marawi still continue? Because God loves us so much, and He wants us still to share the love.