MALACANANG declared May 3, Tuesday, as a regular holiday in the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan marking the end of the month-long fasting observed by the Muslim community.
President Duterte, in his Eid’l Fir message, expressed hope the event inspires the people, especially the Muslim community, to be “models not only for the Islamic faith, but also of goodwill and compassion for all humanity.
“We have been sustained greatly by our faith in the past few years when our nation faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us therefore be truly grateful for the constant guidance and provision we have received all throughout this whole ordeal. On this solemn occasion, it is my hope that your spirits are truly refreshed and your strength for the coming days are renewed,” Duterte said.
The President signed Proclamation No. 1356 that declared May 3 as the Eid’l Fitr Holiday last May 1 but a copy of the issuance was only released yesterday.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended the declaration of May 3 as observance of Eid’l Fitr.
“The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, subject to the public health measures of the national government,” the proclamation read.
On the night of May 1, the Grand Mufti of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta said the end of Ramadan falls on May 2 after the moon sighting on Sunday but Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said late Sunday that May 3 has been declared as the regular holiday.
Eid’l Fitr is one of the regular movable holidays observed in the country, which means it falls on different days of the year. It is also one of the two regular Muslim holidays celebrated in the country and is based on the sighting of the moon.
NCMF Commissioner Jamal Munib said there was no problem whether the holiday is observed on May 2 or May 3.
Munib, during the Laging Handa public briefing, said May 3 was initially recommended as the day to observe Eid’l Fitr because it was the 30th day since the month-long fasting started. He said the observance of fasting can be 29 days or 30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon to mark the start and end of Ramadan.
