End of Ramadan fasting celebrated with gunfire

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Bursts of gunfire greeted the end of the month-long daylight fasting of Muslims in Cotabato City and environs despite repeated appeals from authorities for gun owners not to use their weapons in welcoming the feast of Eid’l Fitr.

As early as 6:30 p.m. Monday, gun bursts were heard around the city and in the adjacent province of Maguindanao.

At about 4 a.m. Tuesday, gunfire reverberated throughout the city and Maguindanao, signaling the end of fasting month of month during which Muslims abstained from food and drink dawn till dusk.

A check with government hospitals here showed no one was hit by stray bullets.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Badian, Cotabato City police director told reporters that an inventory of ammunition for police officers was  ongoing to determine if they fired their guns during the revelry.

Ustadz Jaafar Ali of the National Ulama Council of the Philippines earlier appealed to gun owners not to fire their weapons.

“The money you spend for bullets may be given to the needy in terms of food or shelter,” Ali said, stressing that the Holy Quran does not contemplate the firing of guns as part of the Eid’l Fitr celebrations.

Jaafar said the celebrations should remind every Muslim that doing good and right is what God wants.

At the compound housing the seat of the government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, thousands of Muslims, led by ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarinmbo  held congregational prayers and feasted on roasted beef.

Muslims pray and meditate during the month of Ramadan and abstain  from food, water and even sex from dawn till dusk as a religious obligation.

Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, ARMM police regional director, said no violent incident related to the end of fasting month was reported in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.