CEBU, Philippines - Cebuanos belonging to various religious denominations will gather for a week to celebrate the World Peace Days Festival. The local group Peace (Preachers and Educators Assembly of Cebu) is organizing the weeklong festival which starts on September 21 and ends on the 28th.
The group said they live by the principle of “unity in diversity.†It is composed of people from religious and spiritual denominations in Cebu including Christianity, Bahai, Muslims, pagans and even atheists and occult worshipper, among others.
“Ipakita nato nga this is the beauty of our group. We need not debate on which religion or belief is correct but rather respecting each other’s beliefs and principles. This is what Peace is all about,†Peace President Jomar Fuentes said.
A Walk for Peace will open the eight-day festival which starts at 1 p.m., from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza Independencia. An opening program and campus cultural dance will immediately follow the walk. Exhibit booths will also be opened.
A forum on inter-faith as well as a board games tournament will highlight the second day hosted by the Catholic Faith Defenders.
September 23, the third day, will see the debate on the topic “Is RH (Reproductive Health) Law Constitutional and Moral in the Context of Philippine Society†from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will organized by Protestants.
The fourth day, assigned to neo-religion, syncretism, occultism, and secular humanism, will see another debate on same-sex marriage in the Philippines.
Seventh-Day Adventist, Messianic Jews, Jewish Orthodox and Kaballah are assigned to handle the activities of the fourth day that include celebration with children for peace, continued booth exhibits and campus cultural dance presentations.
An exposition of life based on Hinduism and Buddhism will highlight the sixth day.
A medical mission will be held on the seventh day of the festival as well as shows on traditions to be hosted by the group’s Muslim members.
On the last day, an activity at the Plaza Independencia will be held entertain participants and guests including religious dances like the Sinulog from Catholicism, the dragon dance from Buddhism and the Hindu Street Dance.
Also, an oath of unity and commitment to peace, respect and understanding will mark the culmination of the second year of Interfaith Festival in Cebu.
The festival is based on United Nations Resolution 36/67 establishing the International Day of Peace every 21st of September.
Cebu City Council Resolution No. 09-044, 12-756, 12-3789-2012, 12-4252-2012 declared this month as Interfaith and Peace Month. —/BRP (FREEMAN)