Muslim Peace Worker, Catholic Priest Are 2006 Peace Weaver Awardees

THE 2006 PEACE WEAVERS AWARDEES: The inter-religious solidarity movement Peace members, with PAZ president Father Angel Calvo, (5th from left) artist Rameer Tawasil,(6th from left) Archbishop Carmelo Morelos, (7th from left)James Alih Totoh Abdul, and the Young Peace Weavers pose during the award's night at Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 08 Dec) – Because of their exceptional contribution to peace-building efforts in Mindanao island, a Muslim community worker and a Catholic religious leader were hailed as this year's Peace Weaver awardees by the Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) during the weeklong celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

The 76-year old Archbishop Carmelo Morelos, who has served the Archdiocese of Zamboanga City for 12 years, was recognized for his effort in "bringing people together to resolve conflict and arriving at understanding."

"Bishop Morelos provided an understanding hand, devoid of bigotry and determined to keep the church of Zamboanga as a vessel of peace," stated the citation that was read during the award's night held December 3 at the Garden Orchid Hotel here.

Archbishop Morelos, former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and one of the founding members of the Mindanao Bishops-Ulama Forum in 1996, was widely described as a distinguished leader highly respected by his peers.

"He situated himself strategically to assert a principle of non-partisanship matched by compassion and a firm working belief in peace and inter-religious dialogue within a growing pluralistic community. The years of his watch were marked by many incidents in Zamboanga that required his kind and stable hand," the citation further added.

The prelate, who is expected to end his vicariate duties in Zamboanga before the year ends, stood calmly at the podium to receive the gold-plated and glass engraved-dove, then gave his brief response.

"For once, I am tongue-tied; I don't know what to say because I truly appreciate this award. It is something that I will treasure all my life because it shows that you don't need to do extraordinary deed –just lend your presence, your support, your interest in whatever cause, especially when it is about peace through dialogue," he told the audience packed with scholars, religious leaders and peace advocates.

Along with the earthy and sublime religious leader, Msgr. Morelos shared the annual peace tribute with a Muslim man who is longtime peace worker -- James Alih Totoh Abdul -- who is also currently the area manager of the United Nation's Act for Peace Program in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Abdul, a Sama-Yakan native of Zamboanga City, was acknowledged for his passion in uplifting the lives of people living in the marginal and tribal communities as well as insurgency-infested and depressed areas in Mindanao, especially in the western region.Abdul handled a long list of social involvements.

These included the establishment of the peace zones in rebel infested areas, creating economic livelihoods and initiating various peace and development programs in post-conflict areas in Mindanao and organizing the "Balik-Katan Peace Movement", a multi-stakeholder campaign in Western Mindanao to develop a constituency for peace.

"Talk to James and you will hear not just positive thinking, but possibility thinking. Through him, one will realize that the story of peace in Mindanao is the story of good news which we are not often used to," the citation said.

"I have actually been into peace work since high school. I have had this urge to raise the consciousness of my peers on what was happening around us -- especially on the situation of the people in Barangay (village) Muti in Zamboang City where I grew up."

"The need to do something about the plight of the residents who lack basic service, when barangay governance and leadership were controlled by one clan, where only the leaders made decisions for what they perceived were good people, where the majority remained passive and silent. This has been the motivating factor in my chosen vocation as a peace advocate," the sturdy-built Abdul said after he received the award.

"Through my many years in peace building work in Mindanao, I've seen how unique our situation is. Peace and conflict issues always crop up between the military and various groups, even between tribes and clans. "

"The irony of it all is that with the vast resources of Mindanao, peace has always been elusive. On the other hand, we, peace advocates, should believe that peace can be achieved as our experience in the peace and development communities," he said.

At least 9 young people also joined the awarding night with Archbishop Morelos and Abdul as they were also recognized Young Peace Weavers, who are also considered as peace advocates.

Renowned Mindanao painter Rameer Tawasil was also given a special citation for his contribution in designing the peace dove, considered a universal symbol of peace. According to PAZ president Father Angel Calvo, the Peace Weavers Award is a way to celebrate the individual achievement and contribution to promote lasting peace in Mindanao.

PAZ has been giving the recognition to outstanding individuals and organizations that selflessly devoted efforts towards peace building in the city or region, Fr. Calvo noted.

The peace weaver award started in 1998. Its past awardees included prominent local leaders like the late Hadji Jainuddin Nuno, Amilhussin Jumaani, and Sultin Unding Pamaran and Claretian priest, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo. (Mindanao Examiner)