Publishers' group asks Muslims, Christians to bridge culture gap for peace

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 1 (PNA) - Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) president Juan P. Dayang rallied Mindanao Christians and Muslims to bridge the cultural gap separating the two sectors for the sake of peace and harmony.

Speaking at the Western Mindanao State University-sponsored Regional Media Cultural Awareness for Region 9 in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and PAPI held recently in this city, Dayang said the enormous impact of culture on the economy and development is a reality that many people do not see.

He said culture is central form of development in country’s pursuit of economic prosperity and national unity. “Meaningful and sustainable development can only emanate from the culture of the people,” he added.

Aside from the whole complex of spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize a society or a social group, he said culture embodied the people’s mode of life, value system, tradition and beliefs.

Dayang expressed his belief that the challenges facing Mindanao today arise from the way people limit their sights to the narrow perspective of their own selfish interests.

He said the government, non-government organizations, members of the civil society, the religious and Imams should constantly get together and work towards the promotion of culture, peace, unity and harmony to strengthen our national identity as a nation.