MANILA, Philippines -- A Muslim lawmaker has called on the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to observe a ceasefire, at least during the month-long observance of Ramadan.

The worldwide Muslim month of fasting is scheduled to start here on September 1.

Lanao del Sur Representative Faysah Dumarpa said she is confident the MILF will heed her call because its members are expected to adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, who said: “When one is fasting, he must refrain from uttering false statements; avoid [a] loud voice which will disturb others; and if any one fights you, tell him that you are fasting instead of fighting back.”

At the same time, Dumarpa said she is equally confident the government will consider a Ramadan truce “in the name of religion and consistent with the constitutional state policy on [the] free exercise of religious belief.”

She said the government has, in the past, observed ceasefires for the duration of Ramadan out of “respect [for] the free exercise of fasting by the Muslims.”