Christian & Muslim Youth Gather at Miriam College for Interfaith Peacebuilding Forum

Christian and Muslim youth leaders gathered at Miriam College in Quezon City for a Forum and Interfaith Peacebuilding Workshop that emphasized dialogue, trust, and shared responsibility in responding to today’s growing challenges to peace. The event was held as part of the 2026 World Interfaith Harmony Week observance.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Regina Lizares, President of Miriam College, underscored that peacebuilding goes beyond laws and policies and must be rooted in human relationships.

“Our peace is not just built on policy,” Dr. Lizares said. “It is built on trust and shared dreams.” She encouraged participants to continue building channels of peace and love, emphasizing the importance of sustained relationships across faith traditions in striving for a more unified and compassionate world.

The forum formed part of the World Interfaith Harmony Week observance supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose participation reflects its commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ by loving and serving all of God’s children. Church leaders have emphasized that interfaith engagement is rooted in the Savior’s teachings to love one’s neighbor, seek peace, and show compassion regardless of religious background—values that guide the Church’s cooperation with people of faith in addressing shared human needs.

Karlo Abadines, Executive Director of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, spoke about the complex and urgent challenges facing our youth today. He noted that societies are experiencing heightened tension, conflict, and division, many of which are artificially intensified by the misuse of artificial intelligence, social media, and the spread of fake news.

“We are facing a lot of challenges to peace,” Abadines said. He emphasized that peace cannot be attained without safeguarding the good of every person, stressing that all individuals must have access to what they need to live with dignity. Referring to fundamental human rights, he reminded participants that peace is inseparable from justice and truth.

Abadines further challenged the audience to move beyond words alone. While greetings of peace are meaningful, he emphasized that peace must be translated into action.

“We cannot only say, ‘Peace be with you,’” he said. “We need to act, too.” He underscored that love is made real through justice, truth, and peace—values that require concrete commitment in daily life.

One of the forum speakers, Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, Chief Mission Peacekeeper of the Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), offered a deeply personal reflection on peace as both a spiritual discipline and a moral responsibility. Drawing from her interfaith family background and experiences in Catholic and Muslim educational settings, she described World Interfaith Harmony Week as a personal journey shaped by love, learning, and lived relationships.

She emphasized that discrimination and conflict often arise from a lack of understanding and meaningful engagement with one another. Peace, she reminded participants, is not something practiced only in moments of calm.

“Peace is something we choose even when opinions clash and when divisions feel deepest,” she shared.

Rooted in Islamic teachings, her message highlighted peace as an active way of being—one that calls for humility, self-control, mercy, and respect for human dignity. She stressed that faith traditions do not ask people to erase differences, but to learn from them and to refuse the dehumanization of others, even in disagreement.

The forum concluded with closing and thanksgiving remarks from Dr Gail Galang, President of Pax Christi Pilipinas. She reminded participants that peace requires discernment and restraint, especially in times of conflict.

“Not every provocation deserves your attention,” Dr. Galang said. “Choose peace. Choose humanity over fear.” She encouraged participants, when faced with conflict or division, to pause and ask, “What is the loving thing to do?”

Dr. Galang expressed gratitude to all the speakers, organizers, and participants for their active engagement and commitment to peacebuilding.

Throughout the workshop, youth participants engaged in dialogue sessions and reflective activities that emphasized shared values such as dignity, compassion, service, and responsibility for one another. Many expressed renewed commitment to becoming bridge-builders within their schools, communities, and digital spaces.

The forum affirmed that interfaith peacebuilding is grounded not only in dialogue, but in sustained relationships, justice, and concrete action. As emphasized by the speakers, peace grows when individuals and communities choose understanding over fear, truth over misinformation, and love expressed through action—working together toward a more just and compassionate world.