We celebrated the first World Interfaith Harmony Week with the theme, "Interfaith Dialogue for Peace and Harmony" at Multipurpose Building, Silliman University Campus, Dumaguete City last February 4, 2019 from 9am-8pm. The Divinity School of Silliman University invited me to give a lecture and workshop on promoting interfaith dialogue for peace and harmony. It was coordinated and organized by our Silsilah alumni Dory Dotusme, Beverly Villarin, Richelle Himoya, Japhet Estoque, and Joshua Casul who are students of the said University. They were my students during Silsilah Special Course last May 2018 and while we were in Harmony Village, Zamboanga City we already discussed the plans of inviting me in Silliman and even promoting Silsilah in Dumaguete. After the confirmation is done, I suggested to Dory if it’s possible to have the first-ever World Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration during the said occasion. The response from her and that of her College Dean was enthusiastic. We then pursued on the programme flow and I insisted on having a Commitment and Solidarity Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation for the people of Marawi, Jolo, Zamboanga, Lanao del Norte, the whole of the Philippines and the World. The participants were students of Divinity School, selected faculty, staff, and students of Silliman University. The program started with a symbolic lighting of the candle and sounding of the gong. Rev. Dr. Jeaneth H. Faller welcomed participants and the introduction of the participants headed by Mr. James Israel Cabahan. A mass followed. An invitation for a message from different religious leaders Rev. Josuah de Rosas, Rev. Fr. Plutarco Amante Belanggoy, and Abdulmoula Wahab Muhsin was moving for all of us who are listening. My lecture was about the Fundamentals of Conflict, Violence, and Peace and the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace from morning until afternoon. I then facilitated a workshop on “Dreaming a new world where Solidarity and Harmony existed” after the said lecture. A Commitment and Challenge Acceptance (web using yarn) together with a Solidarity Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation for all people in Mindanao, Philippines to the World was the closing ritual. After the Harmony Dinner, the presentation of workshop out amused us all with unique creativity, positivity and possibility of a world where harmony and solidarity co-existed among people and religions. The event ended with the Closing Program and singing of the Harmony Prayer Song.   Prepared by Ms. Jamila-Aisha P. Sanguila, MA GPB

---