Lecture on understanding Islam slated in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - A religious lecture about understanding Islam will be held in Davao City on April 17, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced. In a statement on its website, the CBCP said the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) and the Ignatian Institute of Religious Education Foundation(IIREF) will organize the lecture. The HCDC, an archdiocesan college institution, will host the second annual religious lecture in its gym from 5 to 7 p.m. The theme will be "Islam and Civil Society: Prospects and Challenges in Southeast Asia." Prof. Nur Fadhil Lubis, Ph.D., who teaches at the State Institute of Islamic Studies in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia, will give the main lecture. Lubis received his Master of Arts and Doctorate in Islamic Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. IIREF coordinator Fr. William Malley invited all who are interested in inter-religious dialogue and peace in Mindanao to participate in the lecture. Last February, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla conducted the first annual lecture on the topic, "No Future Without Forgiveness Or, Why the Peace Process Has Failed and What Can Be Done To Achieve Lasting Peace." During the lecture, Archbishop Capalla proposed "the healing of the wounds of individual persons, families and communities. He said the general formula "is sincere, repentance and mutual forgiveness." "Only this can bring about effective reconciliation and lasting peace." Capalla also summarized the proposal in three movements - Conceptualization of the healing process; Identification of a pilot area for social healing; and organization/Implementation of the project. - GMANews.TV