Editorial

Solidarity bequeaths peace

Muslims and Christians showed again their solidarity to each other in the midst of terror threat to religion and security following the January 27 twin blasts in the Jolo, Sulu cathedral and January 31 bombing of a mosque in Zamboanga City. Both religious groups, in a convergence last week, sent a message of oneness in the fight against terrorism and extremism, not wanting to be intimidated by terror force that tend to divide a people.

When the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo reopened to resume church services, members of a Muslim religious group guarded the gates of the cathedral to show their solidarity with the Christian faithful. In another scene, a number of Muslims converged in Zamboanga City in a prayer for the Christians.

Also last February 3, in a show of unity and peace, Christians and Muslims joined forces at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City to condemn the deadly blasts that have rocked  Southern Philippines. The prayer rally was called “Walk toward Peace, Condemn Violence.” In another move, a nation-wide synchronized interfaith prayer was conducted last February 4 and 5.

 Our weapon(s) against acts of terrorism are always prayer and show or embrace of solidarity as a people, amidst cultural diversity. We continue to move on, not giving an inch of victory to evil minds. We sympathize with each and extend help  when disaster befalls a people and we condemn those who cause a peril to the co-existence of a pluralistic population. Humanity is at its best when people clothe each other for protection and security. Peace is always mankind’s quest so we can pursue our humanistic longings.

 We have shown religious respect to one another in a geographical setting of majority-minority affiliation and we want this phenomenon to be enduring.

 For what we know and witness, there is no religious suppression in our homeland, except for evil minds or doers wanting to create a religious divide and cultural conflict.

 Let evil ends instead be suppressed through our continued crusade for unity and solidarity against perpetrators of destruction. So we pray for peace and security.