Bishops-Ulama Forum prepares

for Mindanao Week of Peace

The Bishops-Ulama Forum (BUF) has begun preparations for the celebration of this year's
Mindanao Week of Peace, which is scheduled on November 28 to December 4. The theme
chosen for the observance is "Peace through Reconciliation: Mindanao Seeking a Common
Ground".

The programs for the celebration were discussed during a meeting of the BUF Tripartite
Commission last September 11 at the Mergrande Ocean Resort in Davao City. AS in the past,
the BUF will issue a statement this month calling on all Mindanaoans to celebrate the Mindanao
Week of Peace. A Primer, to be prepared by the Peace Advocates of Zamboanga and the
Catholic Relief Services-Mindanao, will be prepared and disseminated explaining the objectives
and activities of the celebration, as well as the necessary structures that will assure its success.

Each BUF province/diocese/sectoral area will have its own MWP Activities. A region-wide activity,
the only one for this year, will be held following this – the Muslim-Christian-IP Youth Peace Camp,
which has been scheduled on December 7 to 9, immediately after the Muslim observance of
Ramadhan. The BUF Secretariat will call a meeting of the Youth directors/coordinators to
prepare for this Peace Camp.

The celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, as decreed through a Presidential Proclamation
of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is celebrated each year from the last Thursday of
November to the first Wednesday of Decmber. The observance aims "to raise consciousness for
a culture peace among the peoples of Mindanao… (by providing) a venue for expression of
peace aspirations in various forms and for convergence of peace initiatives".

The proclamation enjoins and encourages all concerned government agencies and
instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations and members of the
private sector and civil society based in Mindanao to engage in relevant and meaningful activities
in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in coordination with the Bishops-Ulama Forum.