Madrid, Spain (19, Nov)–  Current and former diplomats and officials of regional inter-governmental organizations endorsed a campaign for a negotiated political settlement of the armed conflicts in the Philippines in a conference between civil society and multi-laeral organizations in Madrid today.

Two Deputy Secretary-Generals of reginal formations, a former Secreteray General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), senior officials, former ambassadors, and a former Dutch Defense Minister were among those who signed a petition of the One Million Voices for Peace in the Philippines (OMVP) campaign in the First International Conference Strenghtening Global Peace and Security for Development organized by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) and the Organization of American States (OAS). The conference was hosted by the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB).

Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Deputy Secretary General of the OAS led the signatories. Ramdin was joined by Ms Andie Fong Toy, Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum and Ambassador Rodolfo Severino, former Secretary General of ASEAN. Other signatories were Dr. Joris Vooorhoeve, former Defense Minister of the Netherlands, Azizuddin Ahmadzada, Director at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Kwaku Asante, Senior Expert at the African Union Commission, Samuel Urrutia, President of the Business Council of Latin America (CEAL).

The Madrid conference tackled perspectives and experiences of civil society engagement with regional organizations particularly on issues of conflict prevention, peace-building and democracy. A Madrid Declaration calling for prevention as an effective and cost efficient approach to respond to crisis situations and encouraging partenrships among states, regional organizations and civil society to use such was issued at the end of the conference. An ad hoc steering committee composed of representatives of th different participants was likewise to be organized after the conference.

The OMVP is a campaign launched by the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), a regional advocacy and soliadrity institution based in Davao City in Mindanao in Philiippines. IID is a founding member of GPPAC.

The OMVP was also recently endorsed by former Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President and DAvao ARchbishop Fernando Capalla.

By Aldrin B. Abdurahim, Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace

In the holy observance of the month of Ramadan, Muslims and Christians all over the world fostered various ways of showing the spirit of peace and solidarity with the fellow brothers and sisters in faith and cultures. Generally, it had been one of the most inspiring celebrations of the month of fasting and Eid significance.

The Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP) had been in one of its greatest journey of peace in the month of Ramadan. The IRSMP started the celebration highlighting its preparation for the combined Hijrah and Gregorain Calendar for next year in consultation dialogue with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). The partnership with the Acting Regional Director of NCMF together with the members of the IRSMP Technical Committee symbolizes a great seal of commitment towards enhancing greater Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples relations.

On another engagement, the IRSMP made a significant engagement with the President of the Liga de Barangays in Zamboanga City through Councilor Abdurahman Nuno. The executive Committee is represented by the following Prof. Ali T. Yacub Al-Hj, Hji. Abdu Rahim K. Kenoh, Atty. Paulino R. Ersando, Dr. Roger Feliciano, Mr. Nulhamdo Cegales, Dr. Grace J. Rebollos, Mr. Aldrin B. Abdurahim and Mr. Robert Basco.

The consultation dialogue with Hon. Nuno links Peace and Governance Project to all barangays of the City. With a strong vision to be effective partners of the city government of Zamboanga in its implementation of various social services and programs of the national line agencies to include the Department of Education and Department of Interior and Local Government, IRSMP serves as a potential workforce and partners in linking peace and governance down to the grassroots communities especially the local government unit of the barangays.

The IRSMP moved another height in promoting solidarity through an improved and strengthened relationship with the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga City, the Most Rev. Romullo G. Valles, D.D. A special courtesy initiated by the Muslim group- Golden crescent Peace Council under the leadership of Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Hji. Abdu Rahim Kenoh and Mr. Jaafar Kimpa. The visit highlighted strong interventions of solidarity within and among the faith leaders of our society. It is believed that peace is a fruit from our faith. That peace can be better realized if icons of peace from various religious groups come together to have a common word and action for peace and development.

A Special IFTAR (Pagbukah) of the Youth Solidarity for Peace (YSP) through the PAGASA Alliance Youth of the Philippines of Baliwasan Ilang-Ilang symbolically celebrated the said IFTAR at the community level. Youth volunteers from community based organizations joined the afternoon’s celebration last August 14, 2011.

On another significant journey, the Muslim Group unanimously elected Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al-Hj as the Muslim Convener of the IRSMP generally representing the Golden Crescent Peace Council and Golden crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates. Associate Conveners includes Mr. Jaafar Kimpa, president of the AMORES Interfaith Association and City Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Hon. Moh. Taha S. Arakama.

Then came the Duyog Mindanao: generating Citizens Participation in the Peace Process, a peace campaign spearheaded by the Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW), the largest peace network of civil society organizations all over the country, of which IRSMP belong, and is situated in the Asia’s Latin City. Several activities highlighted the campaign last August 20-22, 2011.

Last Aug. 20, a culture of Peace Orientation to Bisayang Daku Alang sa kalinaw (BISDAK), runners and bikers from Bohol, Dumaguete City, Digos City, General Santos City, Cotabato City and Davao City with partners from Zamboanga City was held at the Western Mindanao State University-College of Law, Press Conference with Local media at the Solidarity Center, RT Lim Boulevard, Special Courtesy Visit with Mayor Celso L. Lobregat, Citizens Peace Forum at WMSU Dr. Juanito Gymnasium. Moreover, the Solidarity Run for Peace from Zamboanga City to Cotabato City had its kick off run at WMSU to PAZ Monument at Sta. Maria and Curuan. Aug. 22 significantly shared the best of connecting the solidarity run to all the elementary and secondary schools in the east coast. Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) facilitated the consultations and interactions between and among the students, faculty members, administrator and runners. The campaign culminated after the ten days run at Cotabato city.

IRSMP and MPW laud the support extended by the City alderman, Hon. Celso L. Lobregat in all the activities of the Duyog Mindanao. The Mayor showed endless support to make the various activities very successful as he highlighted the city’s efforts for peace and stand in the on-going peace process between the GPH and MILF.

Atty. Melchor Rey. Sadain, Member of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, District 1 of the City and Golden Crescent Achievement Awardee reminded the essence of peace and harmony during the movements Annual Conduct of the IFTAR: breaking of the Fast ceremony at Marcian Hotel, Gov. Camins last Aug. 20, 2011. Hon. Celso L. Lobregat, Mos. Rev. Archbishop Romulo Valles, Rev. Pastor Pablo Palis and Sheikh Denil Anawari shared solidarity messages during the said celebration.

Several IFTAR Celebration were participated by the IRSMP to include the IFTAR Dinner of the United Stated Embassy at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) and 8th Grand Pagbukah of Mayor Celso Lobregat at Garden Orchid Hotel.

The Ramadan ended highlighting the Eid-ul Fitr, A day of Victory and Peace through the various celebrations within the communities to include the Children Hariraya festival of the ISLAM-Muslim Youth Functionaries of Pasobolong as well as the AMORES Interfaith Association, group of religious leaders in the IRSMP hariraya Solidarity Celebration.

The month of Ramadan did not just focused on highlighting the Muslims obligations of fasting but more than this acknowledges the efforts of our brothers and sisters in heightening common level of understanding and inculcate in the minds and hearts of the people the culture of peace.

IRSMP served as the leading interfaith group in Zamboanga City that enables to imbibe the culture of peace within the various communities and fostering a stronger sense of solidarity with the government, national line agencies, civil society and peoples organizations, academe, professionals, youth and children. Indeed, the movement further flourishes 2011 by moving its peace frontiers.

The Lead Convenor Fr. Angel C. Calvo, CMF shares enlightenments and deeper sense of gratitude to all partners and key leaders of our society for sharing the best of them to the movement’s line of advocacies. Currently at Barcelona Spain, the lead convenor expresses congratulations to the movement and the entire Islamic World in the successful and peaceful conduct of the month of Ramadan.