Silsilah Dialogue Movement as the front line of
this World Interfaith Harmony Week activity in the Philippines especially in
Zamboanga City and Mindanao area, have decided to have the Final Activity for
the week-long celebration at Zamboanga City Jail together with the Persons
deprived with Liberty (PDLs).  Silsilah Dialogue Movement has deep
interactions and commitment with these PDL’s for many years now. Silsilah
staffs gave formation on Values Education and Path to Peace to Zamboanga City
Jail and San Ramon Penal Colony on regular basis and the results of this
formation are very inspiring.This is also to challenge the participants (PDLs)
to express and manifest “Dialogue towards Harmony” through their own song
lyrics, role place and dance.

To make this activity more significant and
special, Silsilah Dialogue Movement invited the WIHW partners to join this
celebration and to witness the realities inside the Zamboanga City Jail and
also to see the beauty of solidarity with the Persons deprived of Liberty.

Before proceeding to the main venue, the WIHW
partners together with the Silsilah staffs gathered together early of February
8, 2020 at the Silsilah Center located at the town of the City. This gathering
aims to give the WIHW partners the basic orientation on what to do and what not
to do during the visit inside the Zamboanga City Jail.

The orientation was given by Mrs. Pilar Recto,
one of the Silsilah staffs who gave regular formation to Zamboanga City Jail
PDLs. She gave few advises especially on taking pictures and recording videos
to the PDLs. As instructed, only one official photographer is allowed to take
photo documentations. We are advised to use our mobile phones less.

Variety of talents was showcased in the event.
During this competition, the PDL’s shows their passion with their talents for
singing by composing their own lyrics for their song. While during the Drama, 3
different stories of dialogue were presented. One story focuses on dialogue
with Family, another focuses on dialogue with neighbors and one is dialogue
among religions.

The PDLs received a Personal hygiene Kit and
medical Kit for their personal use during the awarding. The BJMP Personnel also
receives an award from Silsilah for being a very supportive partner in
different activities and formation of Silsilah Dialogue Movement.

Through this gesture, the Persons Deprived with
Liberty felt belongingness despite of the reality that they are inside the four
walls of the BJMP Facilities.

“Dialogue towards Harmony” has always been an
inspiring theme for all, especially to those people who are in need of this
kind of motivation the most.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week ended in the
most rare but meaningful way. The WIHW celebration does not end only for the
first week of February, but Silsilah always remind people that the spirit of
this celebration will be carried throughout the year and throughout our journey
as people of dialogue

In this overcrowded setup where there are a lot
of sufferings, we can see signs of solidarity among inmates and the personnel’s
assist them with care and attention.  It was indeed a touching moment for
all of us, partners and also for the inmates and thanks to the support and
collaboration of the Zamboanga City Jail management.