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(SDN) April 14, 2023 — In commemoration of the end of the holy month of Ramadan 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. today declared Friday, April 21, Eid’l Fitr national holiday.
He issued Proclamation No. 201 for the regular holiday, which marks the end of the 30 days of fasting that started this year on April 23.
Eid’l Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the only two Islamic festivals, the other being Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which is celebrated at the culmination of Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Makkah, the fifth of the five pillars of Islam.
Ramadan fasting, Sawm in Arabic, is the third pillar, the first being Shahaddah (Professional of Faith); Salat (5 Daily Prayers) the second; and Zakat (Oligatory Charity), the fourth.
The presidential proclamation reads: “In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, and to allow the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, it is necessary to declare Friday, 21 April 2023, a regular holiday throughout the country.”
Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha are celebration annually in compliance with Republic Act No. 9177 and Republic Act No. 9649, respectively.
However, since the Islamic calendar called Hijrah follows the cycle of the moon, therefore, it is not the same with the Gregorian calendar in number of days, the two laws did not specify what dates the two Eids will be celebrated.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which today is headed by Secretary Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong, was tasked by the two laws to recommend the dates for the two Eids’ celebration.
In this year the NCMF recommended April 21, which the President approved.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin the proclamation on the authority of the President. — EDD K. USMAN (/)