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Kalilintad member organizations attend International Meeting for Peace
and Partnership in the US
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By Fawziyah Janan
Kalilintad Editorial Staff
The Al Fatihah Foundation, Inc., Bangsa Bai Livelihood Movement, Inc and
the Forum for Muslim-Christian Solidarity (FMCS), all collaborating
organizations of Kalilintad have sent their respective delegates to the
Goldin Institute for International Partnership and Peace to be held at
the Dominican Conference Center, Chicago, Illinois from October
27-November 1, 2002.
This meeting is sponsored and hosted by the Council for a Parliament of
the World Religions, a Non-Government Foundation based in Chicago, USA.
The gathering will discuss mainly issues concerning inter-religious
movement, global peace and partnerships. This important gathering will
be participated in by leaders and organizations engaged in
inter-religious movements from Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada,
Ethiopia, India, Israel, PhiIippines, Indonesia, South Africa, Spain,
Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States.
Three of the four who compose the Philippine delegation to the gathering
come from the Kalilintad member organizations:
Al Fatihah Foundation, Inc. will be represented by Erwin Gaerlan. Erwin
is currently the Program Coordinator of Al Fatihah's Program on
Interfaith Dialogue. He is also member of the Secretariat of the
Independent Moro Action Network (IMAN).
Ms. Sophia Dimalog, Chairperson of the Bangsa Bai Livelihood Movement
Inc. will represent their organization to the meeting. This gathering
will be Sophia's second visit to the United States. Together with other
young Muslim leaders, Sophia visited the US through the International
Visitors Program last March 20 - April 19, 2002.
The Forum for Muslim-Christian Solidarity (FMCS) is represented by one
of its founders and concurrent Co-Chairperson, Fr. Oscar Ante, OFM. Fr.
Oca is one among those Christian leaders consistently and actively
involved in initiatives for Muslim-Christian dialogue.
The Philippine delegation and participation to this gathering was made
possible thru the support given by the Council for a Parliament of the
World Religions, with special mention to Mr. Travis Rejman, Associate
Director for Partner Cities Initiative. Travis visited the Philippines
last month and was able to meet with various Muslim and Christian
organizations. It was thru his visit that the Philippine participation
to this gathering was worked out.
Besides presenting to this gathering their particular experiences,
Erwin, Sophia and Fr. Oca will collectively present their insights on
the state and situation of inter-religious relations and movements in
the context of the present Philippine realities. Their participation to
this gathering will provide new grounds for the Philippine movement for
inter-religious dialogue for networking and partnership in the promotion
of understanding and solidarity towards the attainment of global peace.
To our colleagues, Erwin, Sophia and Fr. Oca, good luck and may the
guidance and blessings of Almighty Allah be with you always. Wasalaam.
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