Mindanao Peace Week launched

The Mindanao Peace Week was launched last night with the lighting of candles in private houses in key cities in the troubled island.

Davao City Mayor Benjamin de Guzman said the celebration is a manifestation of the strong desire among Mindanaoans for peace to prevail in the island.

"This is our way of showing our concern and desire to attain the peace that we have long wanted to reign in Mindanao. We join hands with our Muslim brothers as we work together for peace," he said.

De Guzman stressed that development in the island would only take place if there is peace.

The Mindanao Week of Peace 2000 was initiated by the Bishop-Ulama Forum (BUF), a grouping of at least 21 Catholic bishops, 21 Muslim leaders and 18 Protestant bishops from all over the island. It was held simultaneously with the start of the Muslim’s holy week of Ramadan.

Aside from the lighting of candles, activities in Davao include prayer assemblies and masses.

In a statement, the BUF stressed that this year’s celebration is rendered more significant and urgent with the escalation of hostilities between government forces and Moro separatist rebels in different parts of the island.

In Cotabato City, residents also joined a three-kilometer walk-for-peace where sectoral leaders called on Muslim and Christian residents to help save the peace process.

The Peace Week in Cotabato City will be capped with various activities, including a photo exhibit to project the socio-economic problems now gripping the war zone of soldiers and separatists.