MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Thursday announced that Friday, March 20, 2026, has been declared a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid’l Fitr, one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made the announcement during the Grand Iftar held in Malacañang Palace, where he joined members of the Muslim community and leaders from across the country. The event highlighted the government’s recognition of the traditions and contributions of Muslim Filipinos.
According to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the declaration recognizes the significance of Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Castro said the Palace also extends its greetings to the Muslim community in the Philippines and around the world as they prepare to celebrate the occasion with their families and communities.
Celebration of Eid’l Fitr
Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by Muslims through communal prayers, family gatherings, and acts of charity. Families typically visit relatives and friends, share meals, and wear new clothes as they mark the joyous end of Ramadan.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period for Muslims worldwide. During this time, devout Muslims observe fasting from dawn to sunset, devote time to prayer and reflection, and read the Quran, Islam’s holy book.
The celebration of Eid’l Fitr marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
National recognition
The observance of Eid’l Fitr as a national holiday was institutionalized in November 2002 when former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9177 into law. The law declares the first day of Shawwal a national holiday to allow Filipino Muslims to fully observe the religious celebration.
Eid’l Fitr is one of the two major Islamic holidays, the other being Eid al-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice. The latter commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God and coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muslim Filipinos make up an estimated six percent of the country’s population, with communities primarily located in Mindanao and in various parts of the Philippines.
The declaration of the regular holiday allows Filipinos across the country to recognize the cultural and religious significance of the celebration and join Muslim communities in marking the end of Ramadan.
— The Summit Express