MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to declare Wednesday, May 27, 2026 a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid’l Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, one of the most important celebrations in Islam.
The Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ announced on Monday that the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH officially began on May 18, 2026. Based on the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid’l Adha will be observed on May 27, 2026, while the Day of Arafah will fall on May 26.
In its advisory, the Islamic authority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) encouraged the Muslim community to maximize the sacred season through prayers, worship, and good deeds.
The official holiday declaration is expected to be issued through a presidential proclamation upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar.
Under Republic Act No. 9849, Eid’l Adha is recognized as a national holiday in the Philippines. The celebration falls on the 10th day of Zhul Hijja, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, with the exact date determined annually based on moon sighting.
Eid’l Adha commemorates the devotion and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael as commanded by God before a ram was provided in his place.
Muslim Filipinos make up around six percent of the country’s population, with large communities in Mindanao and other parts of the Philippines.
— The Summit Express