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| Malacañang has announced that June 28 will be a national holiday in the Philippines to commemorate Eid'l Adha, an important feast of Islam celebrated worldwide. Photo: Official Gazette/Facebook |
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine government officially declared June 28 as a national holiday in a recent proclamation, Proclamation No. 258, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 13, 2023, to mark the celebration of Eid'l Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. This feast is highly religious and culturally significant for Muslims worldwide.
According to the proclamation, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos recommended that June 28 be declared a national holiday, aligning with the 1444 Hijrah Islamic Lunar Calendar. Republic Act No. 9849, which designates the "Tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the Twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar," as a movable national holiday for Eid'l Adha, supports this decision.
Eid'l Adha is the second of the two main holidays Muslims celebrate, the first being Eid'l Fitr. It symbolizes the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. In Muslim communities, the sacrificial offering of an animal is made, and a portion of the meat is consumed by the family, while the remaining portions are distributed among the poor and needy, promoting the spirit of sharing and compassion.
The observance of Eid'l Adha includes a communal prayer at daybreak on the first day of the feast. This prayer is a unifying moment for the Muslim community, fostering a sense of togetherness and spiritual reflection.
With the declaration of June 28 as a national holiday, Filipinos of all faiths will have an opportunity to appreciate and respect the customs and traditions of their Muslim fellow citizens. –iTacloban