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.

 

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