Christian-Muslim forum builds peace with Bible, Koran

A Mindanao inter-faith group has found an effective way of getting Christians and Muslims to work together for peace: by sharing verses of the Christian Bible and the Muslim Koran. The Christian Muslim Forum Association, Inc. (CMFAI) of Mati, which was founded in 2002, read and compare passages from the two holy books at its forums. "A Muslim selects the Qur’an text and any Christian may question its meaning and present the allied Christian text. After the sharing on the Holy Books, open forum ensues where anyone can ask questions or elicit opinions on any issue," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on its news site. Luisito Gutierrez, one of the forum’s organizers, said the focus on the holy books was the key to their unity and common search for peace. He pointed out both Christians and Muslims accept as divine truth what is written in the Bible or Koran. Gutierrez cited verse 3:45 in the Koran on “Isah Messiah" pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. However, he also cited certain Koran texts which are different from Christian teachings, such as 47:4 “When you meet your enemy smite their necks, bind their hands, kidnap and ransom them." Despite the differences, CMFAI has a vision of attaining a “true life-giving witness to a dynamic culture of peace and fellowship, mutual trust and love among Christians and Muslims as integral to the search of peace of mankind." The CMFAI was founded in 2002 at the St. John of the Cross Clergy House compound with the blessings of Mati Bishop Patricio Alo; Islam-balik-Catolico couple Luisito and Sojoselina Gutierrez; Fr. Nestor Morata; Imams Carlito Sagupan and Ruperto Manuel Al Hajj; Presbyterian Pastor Ricardo Estipona; and religious sisters and interested observers from both Catholic and Protestant faiths. Mrs. Gutierrez, the group's secretary/treasurer said the forum has gained 297 members so far. The group plans to start holding a peace forum in San Isidro town on May 23, then cover the gulf towns, and then the six coastal towns. CMFAI chairman of the board Saturnino Sibbaluca said their unique approach to attain peace brings to fore the significance of: