Melo Villareal
Malacañang confirms Eid’l Fitr a regular holiday
As Muslim Filipinos prepare for the upcoming end of the Ramadan, Malacañang Palace has announced that the last day of the Islamic month, also called Eid’l Fitr, will be a regular holiday. The holiday, which will be commemorated by followers of Islam on June 26, will be observed nationwide.
The Philippine President signed on June 26 Proclamation 235 declaring that the said date is a holiday. The announced holiday will mean that Filipinos will be having another long weekend as the holiday will fall on a Monday. Just a few days ago, Filipinos experienced a different long weekend because of the Independence Day celebrations.
“The entire Filipino nation should have the opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” the proclamation says.
Muslims celebrate the Ramadan as the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which marks as a month of fasting for them. The Ramadan was the month when the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad. The length of the month usually depends on the visual sightings of the crescent moon. During that same day, it just so happens that the crescent moon will be very much visible in some parts of the world including the Pacific islands, Peru, Ecuador and the east coast of the United States.
The Republic Act No. 9177, approved by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, requires the announcement of the Eid’d Fitr as a regular holiday as a prerogative of the Office of the President once the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos submits a recommendation. The Eid’l Fitr has been celebrated every year as a regular holiday since 2002.
In last year’s Eid’l Fitr celebration, Duterte urged all Muslims in the Philippines to feel the essence of Ramandan, which “promotes understanding, peace, sympathy, and love.”
