Stories and significant changes
Adam Christopher Tibe: "New Perspective"
Living in Mindanao did not turn out to be as scary as I thought it would be. In fact, I had the best memories in Mindanao. The Davao volunteer experience tore me to pieces. It made me feel embarrassed for the prejudices I had about Muslims which were, I believe now to be, worse than ignorance.
Mindanao, located in the Southern part of the Philippines, has been for decades unsettled. Hence, its economy suffers. Media highlights bombing of Muslims; Christians and Muslims killing one another; and other crimes. These were all I knew. I couldn't be bothered to learn more about them and understand them for I have grown and lived in a predominant Christian community. I realise now that it was a very selfish thought. I was completely blind then of the conflict issues in some areas of Mindanao until I have worked and lived with three Muslims in the GXP team; until I met several more during my three-month stay in Bansalan and in the multi-cultural community of Luton, UK.
One of the events our team participated in was the Faith Walk organised by Grassroots and the Luton Council of Faiths. We, the volunteers, helped distribute flyers to people we passed along the streets to inform and encourage them to join the activity. We started at St. Mary's Church, then went to COGIC (a Protestant Church), to a Sikh temple, and then ended up at the Central Mosque. I found the "walk" truly interesting because I have not been to these places of worship before and I have never had the chance to interact with its people as well. I could not explain the good feeling I felt to be surrounded by people different from me in terms of background, culture, race, and religious beliefs. And the fact that we can work together, walk alongside each other without prejudices, discrimination and fear, simply amazed me.
Through experiences like these, I have gained more confidence in dealing with different people. Before, Muslim-sounding names frightened me. Seeing Kim (my fellow Filipino Muslim volunteer) then for the first time gave me an eerie feeling. But not anymore. I know better now. I have realised that he is no different from me apart from his religious beliefs.
The key, therefore, is simple respect and genuine willingness to learn more about other people's lives. Luton itself is host to 60 to 70 different nationalities, yet these people live and work together harmoniously. Mutual respect reigns.
I'm glad I have a better understanding of Islam now. My ignorance has been replaced by countless fun and memorable learning experiences with my three Muslim friends together with the rest of the GXP team.