Unity in Diversity Evident at Church-Sponsored Youth Interfaith Peace Camp

To culminate the celebration of 2020 World Interfaith Harmony Week, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored the 7^th Youth Peace Camp. Over 100 young single adults from different faith-based organizations attended the fun-filled one-day activity and proved that there is unity in diversity.

Held on Saturday, 8 February, the event opened at the Aurora Meetinghouse of the Church with President Bernabe Magsino of the Quezon City South Philippines Stake welcoming the participants.

“We must use our influence to still the voices of enmity and vindictiveness,” he said in his opening remarks. “Our strength lies in the freedom to choose. There is strength even in our diversity… May the Lord bless us to work unitedly.”

Rev. Fr. Carlos Reyes, Minister of the Ministry of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila introduced this year’s WIHW theme, which is Dialogue Towards Harmony.

"Sometimes, religion is the reason why people are in great disarray," he said in front of young, excited participants. "But removing the stereotype and bias to love our neighbors more effectively is the standard."

He emphasized on the importance of not using religion as a tool to feel superior but to obey the first great commandment which is to love God. He encouraged everyone to use the activity as an opportunity to know one another in order to remove any preconceived religious biases they may have.

Happy Campers in Tanay, Rizal

Participants traveled two hours to the campsite where more 20 ecstatic youth volunteers clad in mustard-colored peace camp shirts and pop music greeted them.

To set the tone of the event, each faith-based organization gave brief presentations on the unique tenets or traditions of their religion.

Latter-day Saint young single adults showed a brief video about the Plan of Salvation, a doctrine that teaches about the person’s pre-earth, earth, and post-earth life. This paved the way for each group to understand, appreciate, and respect each faith's uniqueness and shared attributes.

“I spent 18 years being a Catholic churchgoer with my thoughts only familiar with our beliefs,” Jhazy Dela Rosa shared. “But because of this experience, my mind was opened about other faiths and my respect and love grew for them. I believe these two attributes are the keys to peace. “

Students of Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple’s Guang Ming College shared about the Three Acts of Goodness while Quiapo Silpeace Club shared about interfaith relations. Youth from Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish shared about their belief in the Holy Rosary while Our Lady of Fatima Parish talked about the significance of the Lent. Meanwhile, the Focolare Movement shared about Catechism. Youth representatives from the United Religions Initiative talked about some of the Pillars of Islam, while the Hindu shared about Reincarnation and Karma.

The activities conducted during the full-day event included banner making, cheer presentation, and Minute-to-Win-It-inspired games.

An awarding ceremony capped off the event wherein 14 special prizes and three major prizes were given.