22
Mar

Seeds of Dialogue: Seminarians Visit IPDM Marawi, Foster Interreligious Understanding

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MSU Main Campus - Marawi City > 10-Reduced Inequalities (SDG Goals) > Seeds of Dialogue: Seminarians Visit IPDM Marawi, Foster Interreligious Understanding

Aliah P. Cali-Pascan, DPA, JD

Marawi City, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – March 18, 2025 – A significant step towards interreligious understanding and peacebuilding was taken yesterday as four seminarians from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary of Cagayan de Oro City visited the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) Marawi Campus.

The visit, aimed at broadening the seminarians’ perspectives on human nature and testing their fitness for pastoral work and priestly ministry, provided a unique opportunity for engagement with Muslim brothers and sisters. It served as a practical exercise in interreligious dialogue, a crucial component in the pursuit of peace and development in the Philippines.

The seminarians’ experience was designed to foster a deeper appreciation for the historical struggles faced by the people of Mindanao, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and respect in bridging cultural and religious divides.

“This engagement is invaluable for these future priests,” stated Dr. Acram Latiph, Executive Director of IPDM. “Understanding the diverse realities within our nation is essential for building a truly inclusive and peaceful society.”

The IPDM team, comprising Dr. Acram Latiph, Peace Education Officer Prof. Aldean Alonto, and Prof. Corazon Mangelen, warmly welcomed the visitors. They were enthusiastic to facilitate the interactions and share their insights on the importance of interreligious dialogue.

Prof. Alonto emphasized, “By engaging in meaningful conversations and learning from each other, we can break down stereotypes and build bridges of trust. This visit exemplifies how dialogue can contribute to a more harmonious and peaceful future.”

The seminarians themselves expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow. They acknowledged the experience as a transformative one, solidifying their commitment to promoting interreligious dialogue as a vital tool for peacebuilding.

This visit serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts of organizations like IPDM in fostering understanding and cooperation among different religious communities. By providing platforms for dialogue and education, they are contributing to the creation of a more just and peaceful society in Mindanao and beyond.

About the author

The institute for peace and development in Mindanao (IPDM) was created by the MSU Board of Regents during its 182nd Meeting on December 7, 2001. The institute assumed the functions of two defunct units: the Muslim Christian Center for Peace Studies and the Muslim Mindanao Development Institute. It is now the central coordinating unit for all existing peace and development programs of the campuses of the University. MSU was established on September 1, 1961 as one of the government responses to the so-called “Mindanao problem.” The problem includes a violent struggle of segments of the Filipino Muslim population to redress long-standing grievances and assert Muslim selfhood and identity in the face of real and imagined threats of cultural and spiritual assimilation by the majority Filipino Christian population. The University was mandated to accelerate the “integration” of the cultural communities in Mindanao into the mainstream body politic and to accelerate the development of its service areas through instruction, research, and extension. In the pursuit of these objectives, the University also seeks to infuse spiritual and moral values, national consciousness and solidarity, and mutual understanding among Filipinos, which are necessary for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. IPDM was therefore, created with the expectation that it would contribute to the easing of tensions and the promotion of justice and peace between Filipino Muslims and Christian by expanding knowledge, improving understanding and heightening sensitivity in relations between the peoples of Mindanao in particular, and the Philippines in general.