MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has declared April 10, 2024 (Wednesday) as a regular holiday in observance of the Eid'l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadhan.
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| Filipino Muslims gather at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park in Manila. Photo courtesy: GMA News |
Through Proclamation No. 514, Marcos said the "entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid'l Fitr."
Marcos added that it is necessary to declare April 10 as a regular holiday to "bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid'l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness."
SEE ALSO: LIST: Holidays in the Philippines 2024
The proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on April 4.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as Festival of Sweets, marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by over 1.7 billion Muslims across the world through fasting and praying. In the Philippines, Muslim Filipinos comprise about 6 percent of the population.
During this holy month, Muslims, from sunrise to sunset, refrain from eating and drinking, with some exceptions, especially for those who have health problems.
The holy fasting period for Ramadan started on March 12, 2024 in the Philippines, according to Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (BDI), the Islamic advisory council which has jurisdiction over the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended to the Office of the President (OP) the actual date on which Eid’l Fitr holiday will fall.
— The Summit Express
