MANILA, Philippines – (Updated) The Malacañang Palace announced Proclamation No. 514 declaring June 15, 2018 (Friday) a regular holiday in observance of the Muslim celebration of Eid'l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan).
This means that Filipinos will have a long weekend this month (June 15-17).
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday already announced suspension of classes for June 15 Eid'l Fitr observance. In a post via DepEd Tayo Facebook page, the government agency clarified:
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Earlier, astronomers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have said that Eid Al Fitr is most likely on June 15.
Astronomer Khalid Al Zaaq, Ziyad Al Jahni and Adel Al Saadoon are all certain that Eid'l Fitr is on June 15.
Ebrahim Al Jarwan, General Supervisor at Sharjah Planetarium, in a report by gulfnews.com said that according to astronomical calculations, Friday June 15 will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr and looking further down the calendar, Eid Al Adha will most likely fall on Wednesday, August 22.
According to Proclamation No. 269 for the nationwide holidays for year 2018, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President [ President Rodrigo Duterte] of the actual date of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha on which these holidays shall fall.
Eid’l Fitr marks the end of the holy month of fasting for the Muslims.
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."
Islam has more than five million members in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.
— The Summit Express
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| Islam's holiest prayers, fasting and feats | Photo courtesy of AP/via PhilStar.com |
This means that Filipinos will have a long weekend this month (June 15-17).
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday already announced suspension of classes for June 15 Eid'l Fitr observance. In a post via DepEd Tayo Facebook page, the government agency clarified:
NOTE: DepEd Tayo Facebook page posts updates on activities of the executive committe of Department of Education. Eid'l Fitr holiday is already included in DepEd's School Calendar for SY 2018-2019, as released on May 24.
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Earlier, astronomers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have said that Eid Al Fitr is most likely on June 15.
“We expect Ramadan this year to last only 29 days and to end on June 14. The crescent marking the end of the month will be visible for about 43 minutes, so Eid will be on Friday,” Abdullah Al Misnad, a professor at the University on Qasim in Saudi Arabia, said.
Astronomer Khalid Al Zaaq, Ziyad Al Jahni and Adel Al Saadoon are all certain that Eid'l Fitr is on June 15.
“I am 99.99 per cent sure about it, so those who are thinking of travelling anywhere should go ahead with their plans based on the June 15 date,” Ziyad Al Jahni told Saudi news site Sabq.
Ebrahim Al Jarwan, General Supervisor at Sharjah Planetarium, in a report by gulfnews.com said that according to astronomical calculations, Friday June 15 will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr and looking further down the calendar, Eid Al Adha will most likely fall on Wednesday, August 22.
According to Proclamation No. 269 for the nationwide holidays for year 2018, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President [ President Rodrigo Duterte] of the actual date of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha on which these holidays shall fall.
Eid’l Fitr marks the end of the holy month of fasting for the Muslims.
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."
Islam has more than five million members in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.
— The Summit Express
