Migration promotes cultural and religious harmony

The 7^th Interfaith Dialogue of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM-IFD7) was held last Oct. 13-14 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila with the theme “Harnessing the Benefits and Addressing the Challenges of Migration through Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue.”

It ended with the issuance of The Manila Statement on ASEM Interfaith Dialogue on Migration.

The statement called on ASEM member countries to promote understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity of cultures, and for freedom of religion and beliefs in the context of increased mobility and people-to-people interaction.

Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the country’s representative in the event, defined interfaith dialogue as “cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between or among people of different religious traditions and spiritual or humanistic beliefs.”

According to Dimzon, respect for religious, non-religious and cultural diversity is integral for our well-being, prosperity and peace.

International migration, by bringing people of different beliefs together, can  promote cultural and religious harmony.

Filipino migrants—over eight million of them in about 190 countries—bring with them their values, traditional beliefs, ethical standards and norms, and even ideologies. Yet they are able to mix and blend easily with other nationals. Dimson attributes this to the  predeparture orientation programs conducted by the government that remind Filipino migrants to be sensitive to the behavior and culture of other people.

Over the years, host governments have also become more open and tolerant of foreign migrants. Religious discrimination against has  has diminished, she said.

In Macau or Hong Kong, where there are over 130,000 Filipino migrants, a Catholic mass is celebrated by a Filipino priest in Filipino for Filipino mass-goers.  Overseas  Filipinos workers  say the freedom to express themselves through their faith helps them cope with the pressure, stress and loneliness  they face while being away from home, Dimson said.

Truly, OFWs can become catalysts for inter-faith harmony in the world today.

Dimzon lamented that some societies have stayed restrictive, repressive and intolerant of other people’s humanistic and religious beliefs. To her, these societies have not yet realize the benefits they receive from the presence of migrants in their country. She expressed hope that in due time and through continued and sustained interfaith and inter-cultural dialogues, they will become part of one, big, open world whose people have come together despite differing beliefs.

Susan Andes, a.k.a. Susan K is on board at RADYO INQUIRER 990 DZIQ AM, Mon to Fri, 7:00-8: 30 p.m.