Beneath the surface of Christian-Muslim Conflict

Two members of Hartford Seminary's International Peacemaker Program (IPP) participated in Intersections' second West End Lectures on peace. Lady Paula Mandalika, a Christian from Indonesia, and Acmad Macarimbang, a Muslim from the Philippines, participated in the April 8 installment of this year's series, "The Heart of Conflict: Becoming Students of Peace."

Sponsored by Intersections, in collaboration with the Collegiate School and West End Collegiate Church, the 2010 Peace Series focuses on individuals whose experiences living in conflict areas around the world have led them to become students of peace. The discussion focused on the role of Christian-Muslim relations in Indonesia and the Philippines.

As a field researcher on disaster in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Lady Mandalika witnessed the mediation and facilitation of different interactive activities within interfaith groups. “Different faith traditions that didn’t used to work together … started to work together for a better life after the earthquakes,” she said. “Their dialogue started from their basic need as human beings: food.”

Mandalika saw interfaith groups come together after disasters to work for positive change, but also described negative influences she witnessed in the communities as well. “Kids, for instance, learn some [children’s] songs that emphasize their religion and call other religions evil … but the communities have been aware about the dangers of intolerance,” she said. Local religious leaders in the communities she worked with promote interfaith activities, especially amongst youth. “Muslim and Christian children are gathering once a week … they play, sing and draw together. They started to get to know that even though they have different faith backgrounds, they can be friends,” she said.

Macarimbang explained how conflict in the Philippines arises from political differences and ideologies, not necessarily religion. “The present tension [in the Philippines] is not between Christians and Muslims, but a tension between the Muslim separatist group (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and the Philippine troops who are predominantly Christians,” he said.

Macrimbang worked as a legislative writer on Human Rights at the Philippine House of Representatives, and his journalism brought him close to controversial acts of intolerance. “Numerous Muslim men from villages in Sulu … were just being picked-up randomly … and most of them [received life sentences] for being suspected members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf,” he said.

Macrimbang described how many detainees were students, local Imams, religious leaders and parents captured by predominantly Christian troops. Those detained remain to this day in maximum security, deprived of adequate food and resources. Many have died, he said.

When asked about the role of interfaith organizations in interreligious conflicts, Macrimbang suggested that “both locally and especially internationally, they can help by applying pressure to end such conflict [and] through their strong solidarity denounce it as having nothing to do with their faith.” Mandalika said, “…Interfaith organizations need to understand the local social context, and use a contextual approach in their effort of mediation.”

This lecture series was moderated by the Rev. Michael S. Bos, pastor of West End Collegiate Church. For more information about the West End Lecture series, contact Intersections Program Coordinator Scott Thompson at sthompson@intersectionsinternational.org.