Various religious and progressive organisations gathered in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo church for a candle lighting vigil to express solidarity among the victims brought about by the aerial bombings of Israel towards Palestine, specifically in Gaza and several parts in the West Bank.
The protestors held their peaceful vigil while carrying their placards and reciting prayers led by religious leaders of different denominations. They also sang hymns throughout the program.
Religious groups and progressive organisations that attended the vigil include Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Aglipayan Church among others.
Solidarity Beyond Religious borders
According to groups, the protest echoed its mission of solidarity and unity for the victims of war regardless of moral principles or belief systems.
Sr. Josie of the Daughters of Charity said that this prayer vigil is a “touching and moving experience” which she referred to as an inter-faith experience.
“We would like to make a stand that we are also affected as an institution,” she said.
Zeinab Javier, a Muslim and member of the Filipino and Iranian Friendship Society noted the importance of different religions coming together that amplified truth-telling and peace.
Coinciding with the vigil, they signed a letter calling for a ceasefire and to uphold International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights for Israel and Palestine.
“As people of faith, we urge that religion, and the practice thereof, should call us to building peace that is based on justice. Whatever our limits, weaknesses and failures in articulating and upholding human rights and International Humanitarian Law, let us not be ensnared in silence or caught in inaction as women, children, and men are consumed by indiscriminate bombings with their lives upturned and their communities sent into hapless disarray and vulnerability.” it said in the statement.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) further issued a statement regarding the victims of war in Gaza.
“Dinadalangin namin, huminto na ang karahasan at labanan. Ang aming puso ay naroon sa kamag-anak, ng namatayan ng mahal sa buhay. Mananatili sila sa aming panalangin, sa isang maligalig na panahong ka-pares nito. Amen.” the excerpts read.
[We pray that the assaults and battles must end. Our hearts are there for the relatives whose loved ones have passed away. They will remain in our prayers in these turbulent times. Amen.]
As of November 7, a death toll of 11,470 people were counted in Palestine and 1,200 in Israel ever since the start of the war on October 7.
Sr. Josie also read an excerpt from Pope Francis’ statement regarding the ongoing conflict during the vigil.
“Every human being, whether Christian, Jew or Muslim, of any people or religion, every human being is sacred, is precious in God’s eyes and has a right to live in peace,” Sr. Josie noted.
On November 1, Pope Francis said that a ‘two-state solution’ is needed in resolving conflicts between the two states, with a special status for Jerusalem.
Religions around the world also dedicated their solidarity to the innocent victims in Gaza. The leaders of Jordan’s Council of Churches announced on November 5 that they would cancel all Christmas festivities and instead “focus on the spiritual meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus, according to Father Rifat Bader.
It must be noted that there has also been a protest vigil among religious sectors in Central London last November 17 and called for a ceasefire and advocate for peace.
Sr. Josie demanded for the Filipinos to unite not only because majority are Catholics, but we are all human beings giving importance to life.
