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MANILA / COTABATO CITY, February 20, 2026 (SDN) — National and Bangsamoro leaders have sent messages to Muslims on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, or Ramadhan.
“I join our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world as you enter the Holy Month of Ramadhan,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his message.
A vast majority of Muslim Filipinos started their fast on Thursday, February 19, as the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Darul Ifta (House of Opinion) and the Western Mindanao (Region IX) Darul Ifta said the new crescent moon of Ramadhan was not sighted on February 17.
The President sent his message as he expresses oneness with the Islamic world in its holiest month of the year.
“Like the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who encountered the Almighty through the revelations of the Holy Qur’an, may your faith be deepened and your commitment be renewed to live out his teachings,” he says.
At the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Vice President Inday Sara Duterte she, too, greetings Muslims in the Islamic way: “Assalamu Alaikum, Ramadhan Mubarak”!
“I am one with our Muslim Filipino brothers and sisters in the observance of Ramadhan across the world. In this time of Islamic prayer, fasting, and reflection, let us be grateful for the blessings we received and pray for the plight of others who need our help, support, and intercession.
“May this Ramadhan allow as to cleanse our thoughts, purify our hearts, and grow deeper in our faith in Allah as we take heed and try to manifest the teachings of the Qur’an in our daily lives,” Duterte says.
She enjoined Filipinos to pray for peace in Mindanao, the Philippines, and the whole world.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. wished his Muslim brothers and sister a Ramadan Mubarak!
“Ramadan is a month devoted to fasting, prayer and alms-giving. Most of all, this is a time for honoring Allah and commemorating the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. May this occasion provide all of us an opportunity for self-reflection and further strengthen the bond that unites all of us as Filipinos,” Galvez says.
Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. conveyed his greetings as wishes a peaceful and meaningful observance of the Islamic holy month, citing its deep spiritual meaning to the Muslims in the Bangsamodo region.
“May this Holy Month bring spiritual renewal and further strengthen the bonds of unity that help us build a more peaceful and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas,” he says.
Lagdameo said it’s important to cultivate and preserve solidarity, mutual respect, and shares responsibility in the efforts to advance peace and development in the Bangsamoro region at same time stressing that Ramadhan can be a vehicle not just for worship but also compassion and community-building.
House Speaker Faustino G. Dy III has his own greeting.
“Sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim dito sa Pilipinas at sa buong mundo, isang mapagpalang pagbati sa pagsisimula ng banal na Buwan ng Ramadan.” (To our Muslim brothers in the Philippines and in the whole world, a blessed greetings for the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan.”
Dy III described Islam’s holiest month “as a sacred period of fasting, prayer and reflection that strengthens faith and deepens compassion for others.
He also called on all Filipinos to take advantage of the fasting season to reinforce unity and peace in their communities.
NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim relayed his warmest greetings to the Muslim Ummah (world global community).
“This sacred month is a time of faith, patience, compassion, and sincere devotion to Allah.”
The NCMF head said Ramadan serves a reminder of Muslims’ relationship with Allah and help raise the lives of the less fortunate, promote unity, and understanding.
Over in Mindanao, officials of the Bangsamoro region are not to be left out in sending their respective message.
BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua said he joins the Muslim Ummah, including the Bangsamoro, as they welcomed with gratitude and hope the holy month of Ramadhan.
“Ramadhan carries deep wisdom for each of us. It reminds us that true strength is found in self-restraint, that clarity comes when we pause and reflect, and that sincerity is shown through sacrifice. When we fast, we learn patience. When we pray, we learn humility. When we give, we learn compassion,” Macacua emphasizes.
Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament Speaker Mohmmad S. Yacob gave his own greetings.
” As we welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, we extend our heartfelt greetings of peace to our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he says.
Describing Ramadan as a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual devotion, Yacob points out that the month of the Hijri (Islamic calendar) invites Islam’s believers to reflect on the values of compassion, humility, patience, and self-discipline…”a time to renewal of our faith, strengthen our moral purpose, and seek harmony within ourselves and our communities.”
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al-Haj Murad extend his prayers and greetings to the entire Muslim Ummah, especially in the Bangsamoro, saying he is speaking on behalf of the MILF and United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).
“Ramadhan is considered the holiest month in the Hijri calendar. It holds profound historical and spiritual significance for Muslims around the world. The act of fasting during Ramadhan nurtures reflection, self-discipline, and deepened faith and devotion to Allah,” Ebrahim, also UBJP president, says.
He said the MILF is one with the Bangsamoro in observing the Ramadhan holy month.
MILF First Vice Chairman and BARMM Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the Bangsamoro people, particularly mentioning the region’s teachers, learners, education leaders, and all personnel of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).
“As we begin this sacred journey of fasting and reflection, may our hearts be filled with humility, compassion, and renewed devotion to Allah (SWT).
“Ramadan reminds us of our shared responsibility to nurture not only minds but also character, faith, and hope among children and communities. In the spirit of service, let us continue to uplift one another, extend kindness to those in need, and remain steadfast in our mission to provide inclusive, quality, and values-driven education for all,” Iqbal stresses.
Ramadhan fast requires abstention from food, water/liquid, cigarettes, sexual activities, as well as backbiting, and unwholesome thoughts from sunrise to sundown for 30 or 29 days.
Only the adults are obliged to fast while the sick, pregnant, lactating mothers, travelers are exempted but they have to replace the fasts they missed. Or they can do “fidiyah” by giving money to the poor or old persons who are themselves doing the fast. (©)