MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 13, 2021 (Thursday) as a regular holiday for the observance of Eid'l Fitr or the culmination of the Fasting of Ramadan.
Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1142 on Monday after the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended to declare the date a national holiday.
“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid'l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Thursday, 13 May 2021, a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read.
Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated by families gathering in large congregation for an Eid prayer to express gratitude to Allah for having been able to perform their personal sacrifices.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Muslim community is expected to observe community quarantine protocols and physical distancing measures in celebration of ending a whole month of fasting.
Mindanao, home to majority of Muslim Filipinos, is currently under a less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) for three areas (Iligan City, Davao City and Lanao del Sur) and modified GCQ for the rest of the region.
Eid'l Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations. The other one is Eid al-Adha or The Feast of the Sacrifice, celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. Eid al-Adha also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the 5th Pillar of Islam.
Muslim Filipinos comprise about six percent of the population.
In November 2002, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9177 into law declaring the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, a national holiday for the observance of Eidul Fitr.
According to RA 9177, "the approximate date of these Islamic holidays may be determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient."
The holiday is determined by the use of the lunar-based Islamic calendar through the sighting of the crescent moon in the Islamic month of Shawwal.
— The Summit Express
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| The Masjid Dimaukom or Pink Mosque in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. |
Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1142 on Monday after the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended to declare the date a national holiday.
“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid'l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Thursday, 13 May 2021, a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read.
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| Duterte declares May 13, 2021 as regular holiday for Eid'l Fitr. Photo via PCOO |
Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated by families gathering in large congregation for an Eid prayer to express gratitude to Allah for having been able to perform their personal sacrifices.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Muslim community is expected to observe community quarantine protocols and physical distancing measures in celebration of ending a whole month of fasting.
Mindanao, home to majority of Muslim Filipinos, is currently under a less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) for three areas (Iligan City, Davao City and Lanao del Sur) and modified GCQ for the rest of the region.
Eid'l Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations. The other one is Eid al-Adha or The Feast of the Sacrifice, celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. Eid al-Adha also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the 5th Pillar of Islam.
Muslim Filipinos comprise about six percent of the population.
In November 2002, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9177 into law declaring the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, a national holiday for the observance of Eidul Fitr.
According to RA 9177, "the approximate date of these Islamic holidays may be determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient."
The holiday is determined by the use of the lunar-based Islamic calendar through the sighting of the crescent moon in the Islamic month of Shawwal.
— The Summit Express
