Marcos to Muslims: Sustain values during Ramadan

BREAKING THE FAST Muslims gather for prayers at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila, on Friday afternoon. The Islamic community will be marking Eid al-Fitr, or the “Feast of Breaking the Fast,” to mark the end of Ramadan today as there was no still no sighting of the crescent moon as of Thursday. —RICHARD A. REYES

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday urged the Muslim community in the country to continue doing righteous acts as they culminate the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“May you sustain the values, teachings and practices that you have wholeheartedly discerned and embodied throughout this time,” Mr. Marcos said in his Eid al-Fitr message. Muslims observed the start of Ramadan on March 23.

“Let these form the foundations of your characters as you continue to fulfill righteous deeds and strive to live a virtuous life moving forward,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos also called on Filipinos to join the country’s Muslims in observing the solemn occasion, “for we recognize the Islamic faith and embrace it as part of our own collective consciousness.”

“With our many faiths informing all our actions and bridging all our differences as a diverse set of peoples, we can transcend any challenge and still remain united under the banners of camaraderie, respect, and love,” he said.

Under Proclamation No. 201, the President declared April 21 a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid al-Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan.

Earlier, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos recommended to the President to declare April 21 a regular holiday in the country in observance of Eid al-Fitr.

But the Muslim community would celebrate Eid al-Fitr on April 22 after the crescent moon, which usually signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan, was not sighted on Thursday.

READ: Muslims celebrate subdued Eid al-Fitr