Moderation

This is a new word in the vocabulary of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The word is understood by its originators as referring to a social effect of the process of people and groups‎ coming together and interact towards a common objective.

The originator is a group called Global Movement on Moderation founded in Malaysia. It’s overall objective is peace and development. It is being promoted as an ASEAN value.

This coming 26 October 2016 GMM is holding an International Forum in Ventiane, Laos PDR (Laos People’s Democratic Republic). I was invited to be one of the three panelists who will present‎ experiences and lessons on moderation. I accepted the invitation.

I am sharing this information to let the reader know that our group, the Bishops-Ulama Conference‎, is recognized in the Asian region as a contributor in making moderation an instrument in peace-making and development process through dialogue.

The Bishops-Ulama Conference was founded on 29 November 1996 by the late Dr. Mahid M. Mutian‎ and myself at the request of former president Fidel V. Ramos. He had the inspiring thought that an association of Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao could help in the implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front of Chairman Nur Misuari.

The present Duterte Government has invited our Conference to get more actively involved in the peace process. It was Sec. Jesus Dureza, a former ‎Catholic Herald columnist, now head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, who made the invitation.