Media professionals and communicators from different faiths came together in prayer during the Global Prayer Assembly for Peace (GPAP) on August 13, highlighting the media’s important role in promoting truth, understanding, human rights, and peace amid conflicts and social divisions.
The weekly interfaith gathering, which brings together people from different faiths and sectors to pray for peace, was led this week by members of the media community.
‘As members of the media, we have a crucial role in times of conflict and crisis. Often, journalists and media workers are among the first to witness and report what is happening on the ground-wars, violence, displacement, discrimination, and other situations that affect communities,’ said Aida Gonzales, program host of DZME Radyo TV and Compass Media, said in her message of support.
She said the media’s responsibility extends beyond reporting conflict, noting that ‘media can also become a bridge for peace through responsible storytelling.’
Media prays for truth and peace
The interfaith prayers were led by Tu Alfonso, Chairman of Bangsamoro Multimedia Network Inc., representing the Muslim community; Martin Racza of the University of the Philippines Manila and the Knights of Columbus, representing the Roman Catholic community; and Pastor Manny Tabingo, program host of ‘Beyond Sundays’ at BIG 101.5 FM, representing the Christian and Protestant community.
Alfonso prayed for the protection of media workers, and for ‘their work to help promote understanding, peace, reconciliation and unity among our communities.’
He also prayed for communities affected by the typhoon, and those involved in relief and rescue efforts.
‘Oh Allah, bring peace where there is conflict, truth where there is confusion, justice where there is injustice and compassion where there is suffering.’
Racza prayed that media workers ‘may be protected as they report on events in areas with or without conflict, and that they will always put truth over lies and propagate the seeds of peace instead of fanning the flames of war.’
The prayers ncluded an appeal for the health, well-being, and safe release of 95-year-old Chairman Lee Man-hee, who is currently detained in South Korea while awaiting trial.
‘We pray for the good health, well-being, and the safe release of Chairman Lee Man-hee, a man of peace, and that he be accorded due process, and with the utmost respect for his rights, not just as a human, but as someone who nurtures peace in this world,’ Racza said.
The prayer echoed concerns raised during an international press conference held on August 7 at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club in South Korea, where human rights and religious freedom experts called for greater attention to due process, proportionality, and humanitarian considerations in cases involving religious minorities and elderly religious leaders.
The Seoul conference, organized by Human Rights Without Frontiers with the participation of CAP Liberté de Conscience, Forum for Religious Freedom Europe, the Center for Studies on New Religions, and Bitter Winter, raised concerns over Lee’s continued detention and emphasized the importance of the protection of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression.
The GPAP provides a weekly platform for people from different faiths and sectors to come together in prayer and solidarity. GPAP is held every Thursday at 8 p.m.; it is open to individuals from all faiths and communities who wish to pray and work together for peace.