TRIPOLI (via PLDT) -- President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) for its support to
the Philippines interfaith dialogue initiative that led to the unanimous approval by the
United Nations Security Council of UN Resolution 1624 in 2005.
The Philippines steered the UN Security Council
debate on Resolution 1624 which institutionalized interfaith dialogue as a mechanism for
international cooperation and "broaden understanding among civilizations in an effort
to prevent the indiscriminate targeting of different religions and cultures."
The Philippines pushed for the passage of the
resolution, which also underscores the important role of interfaith dialogues in resolving
conflicts and restoring peace as pioneered in Mindanao by the Bishops-Ulama Conference.
The Bishops-Ulama Conference is composed of
Catholic and Protestant bishops, Muslim religious leaders and representatives of
indigenous peoples.
The President expressed her gratitude to the WICS
Monday afternoon during a meeting with representatives of the Islamic society at the WICS
compound here.(full story) released 18 July 2006
