Harmony in Diversity Breeds Respect and Love...with Mindanao (Philippines) as a typical case
Posted on Thursday, 29 October 2015
Harmony
in Diversity Breeds Respect and Love
…with
Mindanao (Philippines) as a typical case
By Apolinario Villalobos
In the Bible, the Israelites failed their
God when they did not follow His instruction to the letter. Instead of
annihilating all members of the pagan tribes whose cities they have overran, in
some, they allowed the inhabitants to live side by the side with them. Some
Israelites even took their women as wives. There was harmony, somehow, although
not pleasing in the eyes of their God.
When the Arab and Chinese traders came to
the Sulu Archipelago to ply their wares thousands of years ago, they
intermarried with the native women, so today, some Tausugs have Chinese and
Arab names and the fused cultures are obviously manifested in their physical
features. There was harmony, then, for the sake of commerce, but which
developed into respect and love that became the foundation of the Sulu
Sultanate.
“Conquest” of kingdoms can also be
accomplished through intermarriages, such as what happened in Egypt, the
Iberian region and Europe. Despite the differences in culture, harmony was
developed and bred respect among their royalties, thus, kingdoms were expanded.
Still today, some business tycoons, especially, in Asia, have the habit of merging
their wealth through marriage. In time, the human “instruments” for the worldly
end, somehow develop love for each other.
In Mindanao, Philippines, particularly the
Muslim central and southern portions of the island, the migrants from Luzon and
Visayas, and the indigenous Muslims live harmoniously in communities as
neighbors. Unfortunately, due to politics instigated by greedy desire of the
few, animosities developed. Nevertheless, those who are really advocating peace
persist in maintaining their warm neighborly relationship founded on love,
respect, and lately, tolerance.
There is a story of a couple in which, the
wife is from a royal Muslim family, while the husband is an ordinary
hardworking Christian. They underwent three marriages – Islamic, Christian and Civil,
with the consent of their parents. Their children were not baptized days or
weeks after birth, the Christian way, but when they were old enough to choose
which faith they preferred. In time, the couple began to raise Christian and
Muslim children, but they do not feel any “difference” at all. Today, each of
them observes the chosen faith with utmost sincerity in a home that permeates
with love.
Lately, the son of a Muslim couple decided
to become a Catholic priest. Instead of ostracizing him, the parents prayed
over him to strengthen his chosen faith.
Clearly now, the problem in Mindanao is not
the difference in faith as despite the diversity, the Mindanaoans are united by
love and respect for each other, founded on harmonious relationship. What is happening
in Mindanao are the doings of greedy politicians, but hope is not gone from the
heart of Mindanaoans who had been longing for autonomy…with God’s help!
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