Featured image above shows part of the thousands worshipers in Maharlika Village, Taguig City, awaiting the Eid’l Fitr prayers. In the middle with Arab bandana on his right shoulder is Imam Imran Arshad, who led he Eid prayers and delivered the khutbah or sermon. (Photo: SDN)
But in many countries the Eid celebration is tempered by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s massacres of Palestinian babies, women, old people that look like a horrible throwback to Hitler and his Nazi’s World War II Holocaust atrocities.
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-CAI
- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech & Digital News
MANILA, April 10, 2024 (SDN) — The estimated 1.6 billion Islamic world marked the end of Ramadan today, Wednesday, assembling a congregation of worshipers in mosques and open field spaces.
In the Philippines, thousands of worshipers, including young children, adults, and the old, women and men, wore their best clothes as they marked with joyous pride their completion of the holy Ramadan fasting month. Fasting started on March 12 in the country, and March 11 in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Vice President and Education Secretary Inday Sara Duterte lost no time in sending her greetings to the celebratory Muslims.
She said she is one in the celebration with her Muslim brothers of Eid’l Fitr and peaceful conclusion of fasting and worship.
“Your dedication and worship are inspiration to all of us. The end of Ramadan is a reminder to us to be humble, forgiving, and to intensify our worship,” the Mindanaoan leader said in her message given in the Filipino language.
“Hopefully, we shall continue to apply the lessons of the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad, and promote goodness to our fellow citizens,” she added.
A vast majority of Philippine Muslims abstained from food, drinks, smoking, sex, and evil thoughts during the month from sunrise to sunset.
Duterte emphasized that despite differences among Filipinos, unity, respect, and love for the country is truly important. “Again, I am wishing you a successful conclusion of Ramadan.”
Each month of the lunar-based Hijri calendar starts with the sighting of the crescent moon.
Though a celebration, Muslims did not forget massacred Palestinians in Gaza
The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos jointly declared the crescent of Shawwal was sighted on the evening of Tuesday, April 9. Thus, their declaration of the day of Eid’l Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.
Over at the Maharlika Village in Taguig City, Metro Manila, the Blue Mosque and houses of worship were filled to the brim as well as open field spaces as thousands gathered for the prayers.
At the Barangay Maharlika Madrasah compound, Imam Aleem Imran Arshad encouraged worshipers to maintain the values they learned and imbibed during Islam’s holiest month.
That the values and lessons of Ramadan they should apply year around until the next month of fasting in year 1446 (2025), and soon on.
But needless, to say, the Islam believers for sure did not forget the Palestinian babies, children, women and the old massacred by Netanyahu and Israel’s marauding Israeli Defense Force (IDF) who at times, as shown in video clips, killed unarmed Palestinians, even those waving a white flag. The Gaza health ministry said over 33,000 Palestinians have been killed by the forces of Netanyahu, and the figure is expected to increase further as there is no end sight of Israel’s vengeful wrath disguised as “self-defense”.
The IDF even targeted a World Central Kitchen (WCF) convoy bringing food to the Palestinians on April 1 (unfortunately not an April Fool’s Day prank).
WCF’s head, Chef José Andrés, claimed the attack on the humanitarian group’s convoy of three trucks was targeted, which could mean purposely done.
Israel said it was a “mistake”.
Of course, Netanyahu and Israel have been denying anything and everything about their inhuman regard of the Palestinians and horrible consequences of their oppressive acts. (♤)