They were welcomed by the warmest greetings of “Assalamu alaikum!” (God’s peace be with you), smiles and hugs from familiar and new faces as they entered the second floor of a building that served as a mini-function hall across the community mosque. Colorful Filipino Islamic decorations, native mats and carpets accentuated the festive atmosphere as the women from different cultures and faiths, garbed in their respective traditional attires, gathered together.

The members of the Al-Salam Active Women’s Association (ALSAWA), comprised of women from seven different tribes, expressed their pleasure and honor to host the program and welcomed the group; all the women were dressed in customary or stylized cultural outfits. They represented several organizations, and faith groups such as The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) and United Religions Initiative – Southeast Asia-Pacific (URI-SEAP), the Brahma Kumaris (BK), the Hindu community, Shumei – Phils. (Japanese spiritual organization), the women of Chevalier Monks of Christ (CMC), and Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan (network of women in unity).

Preceded by prayers from different faiths, the program started with welcome remarks from the officers of ALSAWA and the initiators of the interfaith women’s gathering, URI –SEAP regional coordinator, Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani and PCFI executive director, Ms. Marites Africa, and was followed by intermission presentations from several groups: a T’ai Chi demonstration from the CMC women, and songs from different Muslim tribes. Afterwards, everyone sat in a big circle and gave introductions of themselves and their attire, faith and cultural background.

After observing the Muslims’ obligatory prayers at noon, the group proceeded by partaking in the sumptuous feast awaiting them at the center of the room. Colorful and tasty delicacies from the different Muslim tribal traditions prepared by the hosts, plus the potluck food brought by each group, all added up to a delightful gastronomic interfaith experience! Everyone’s taste buds were tickled with the diversity of food preparations from vegetarian dishes, Japanese tofu, salads, chicken curry, native rice cakes, and pastries in all shapes, sizes and taste!

In the finale of the celebration, a lively community dance was led by the sole indigenous representative, Ms. Arlene Natocyad of the Kadaklan tribe from the Cordillera region, while Sr. Beckly Ortega of Brahma Kumaris gave away “virtue-blessing cards” to everyone.

As messages of gratitude and appreciation were exchanged, the common aspiration was that the gathering would definitely not be the last—but the first among many more gatherings to come. Heartfelt thanks to the Muslim women of ALSAWA and the Culiat community for playing host to the wonderful Womens' Day celebration!

To see the blogsite of the Interfaith Women's Circle, which contains more pictures from the said gathering and other meetings, click the following link: http://interfaithwomenscirclemanila.blogspot.com/