published on Islamonline.com
Two Christians, who have witnessed how Muslims survive marginalization in this largely Catholic state, lent their voices to these Filipino Muslims through a video documentary titled "In the Light of the Crescent Moon."
The documentary tells "about the plight of Muslims in Metro Manila" and "gives voice to the Muslims in the metropolis whose voices are not often heard."
Marites Guingona-Africa said in the documentary the Christian narrators "share their experiences in building relationships between Muslims and Christians in grassroots communities" and along the way promote "dialogue as a way of being in relationship with their fellow human beings."
Guingona-Africa founded and currently serves as the executive director of The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc. that put together the documentary."
In the predominantly Christian environment such as Metro Manila," she explained, "Muslims have struggled to live their lives in dignity despite experiences of prejudice and discrimination against them by their non-Muslim neighbors, colleagues, would-be employers, teachers, classmates, etc."
By highlighting the experiences of Muslims and Christians in a village in the Metro Manila city of Caloocan, the narrators, she said, promote dialogue which "is a way of love that is in the heart of Muslims and Christians alike".
Through the stories, the viewers are made aware of the fact that "there is goodness in the light of Islam, and that despite their differences in culture and beliefs, Muslims and Christians share the same aspirations for peace, justice, and wellbeing for themselves and their families."
Also, the viewers would realize that through Muslim-Christian dialogue a "peaceful and harmonious relationship between these two groups of people is possible."
Guingona-Africa further said that this project was thought of because "not much is being done to help the growing number of Muslims who have come to the metropolis [the capital Metro Manila] seeking better lives for themselves and their families" although "peacebuilding between Muslims and Christians has been going on for decades in Mindanao."
For example, she stressed, "Not many Christians (in this predominantly Christian metropolis) are aware of the fact that there are now at least 115 mosques in Metro Manila, and that where there are mosques, there are thriving Muslims communities. These communities are now found in areas around the metropolis that were once solely occupied by Christians."
"To this day," she went on, "there is not much interest in the plight of Muslims in Metro Manila. Thus, support for the work of building relationships between Muslims and Christians in the metropolis has been difficult to come by."
Guingona-Africa added, "We have many Muslim friends who have succeeded, despite the difficulties of the challenge, to make something good of their lives here. Theirs are the stories that need to be told. Theirs are the voices that need to be heard."
As peacemakers who have borne witness to their struggles, we feel that if we are to be true to our calling as 'peacemakers,' we owe it to them and to our selves, to help our fellow human beings tell their stories.
"We hope that this video documentary will serve this purpose, and inspire people of different faiths and cultures--here and elsewhere in the world-- to build relationships of peace through dialogue."
This video documentary project was produced by The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit, and partisan organization composed of members of diverse religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions.
Its members "believe in the oneness of humanity, and subscribe to the principles of unity in diversity, good will, and cooperation. They have come together in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding to help each other realize a common vision: World Peace and the Healing of the Earth through Individual and Social Transformation."
This project was made possible with the help and support of the Office on Muslim Affairs in the National Capital Region. Muslims and Christians who have been involved in the endeavor of building relationships of peace in the grassroots community of Barangay 188 in Phase 12 of Tala, Caloocan City worked for this project.
Muslims from various organizations and groups who believe in and support the Peacemakers' Circle's endeavors such as the Young Moro Professionals, the Center for Moderate Muslims, FilMus, Agama Islam Society, and individuals who are committed to the endeavor of promoting peace between Muslims and Christians in Metro Manila also put in their resources.
The video documentary was produced on a shoestring budget of P98,000 [P52=$1], with the seed money given by the Asia Foundation, Ortigas and Company, and Peacemarkers' Circle's friends. A Hindu couple and several other Christians also contributed.
Guingona-Africa said their group wants as many people in Metro Manila and the whole Philippines to view the documentary.
"It is for this reason that we are about to embark on a Campus Tour to show the video and invite students from as many colleges and universities to ask questions about Islam and Muslims."
We will have a touring team composed of Muslims and Christians who will be ready to respond to the student's queries. We also wish to bring the same to various government and non-government agencies for viewing and discussion," she shared.
She said that "the people who were at the launching of the video documentary last July 12 seemed pleased by it. For many non-Muslims, this was an 'eye opener.' For Muslims, this was something that helped to make their voices heard and bring their concerns to the attention of the non-Christian public."
Guingoa-Africa added, "I think that on the whole--despite its flaws--the video documentary is serving its purpose, that is: to promote awareness of the need for Muslims-Christian Dialogue and relationship building in Metro Manila, as in elsewhere in the country and the world."
In the Light of the Crescent Moon's filming started in December 2005. It was set aside for a couple of months due to lack of time and resources. However, production resumed in March 2006, and then the post-production (or editing of the video) that followed took over 110 hours, spanning a three-month period (from April to July 2006).
