When the women from different faith traditions on-board a convoy of three vehicles entered the Muslim grassroots community of Salam compound in Barangay Culiat of Quezon City in Metro Manila, they were merely looking forward to seeing again their new-found Muslim sisters and have a simple merry celebration of the Women's Day with them. Little did they know that a sumptuous kanduli ("feast") of different tribal dishes awaited them, and a most colorful and intimate gathering of interfaith women would take place.
They were welcomed by the warmest greetings of "Assalamu alaikum!" (God's peace be with you), smiles and hugs from familiar and new faces, as they entered the second floor of a building that served as a mini-function hall across the community mosque. Colorful tribal decorations, native mats and carpets accentuated the festive atmosphere as around 40 women from different cultures and faiths, garbed in their respective traditional attires, filled the room to the brim!
The members of the Al-Salam Active Women's Association (ALSAWA) comprising of women from seven different tribes expressed their pleasure and feelings of being honored to host the program, and they welcomed their sisters from other faiths who also came dressed in customary or stylized cultural outfits. They represented various organizations and faith groups LED BY The Peacemakers' Circle URI CC and its partners from the Brahma Kumaris, the Hindu community, Shumei Phils. (a Japanese spiritual organization), the women of Chevalier Monks of Christ (CMC), and Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ( "network of women in unity").
The program started with prayers led by representatives from the different faiths, followed by welcome remarks by the officers of ALSAWA and the initiators of the interfaith women's gathering. Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani (URI-SEAP regional coordinator), and Marites Africa (Executive Director of Peacemakers' Circle CC) expressed their joy and gratitude for the gracious and generous reception of the active Muslim women of Salam, and their inspiring friendship and support. A T'ai Chi demonstration from the CMC women, and songs from different Muslim tribes were presented. These were followed by introductions around the circle accompanied by brief explanations about the tribal/cultural origin of their respective traditional dress..
After a moment of silence during the noontime Muslim prayer, the women partook of the sumptuous feast that bedecked the center of the room. Colorful and tasty delicacies from the different Muslim tribal traditions prepared by the gracious women of Al-Salam, plus those that were brought by their guests to share, contributed to the delightful array of choices that made the gathering a gastronomic interfaith experience! There were vegetarian samosas, tofu tempura, salads, chicken curry, rice cakes, and pastries that were difficult to resist!
A lively community dance concluded this heartwarming gathering of interfaith women. This was was led by Arlene Natocyad of the Kadaklan tribe from the Cordillera region. Sister Beckly Ortega of Brahma Kumaris gifted each one with a "virtue-blessing cards" before taking leave.Words of gratitude and appreciation were exchanged, and the hope and aspiration expressed by all was that this gathering was only the first of many other such gatherings that this group of women have now started.
Heartfelt thanks to the Muslim women of ALSAWA and the Culiat community for playing host to the wonderful Womens' Month celebration!
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