Filipino Muslims bow down to Allah outside Mindanao’s first ever pink mosque at Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, as they observe the start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Devotees of Islam are expected to abstain from food, drinks and other physical needs during daylight hours. The fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has adjusted the working hours of its Muslim employees to ease the effects of their fasting during Ramadan.
All Muslim employees are now required to report for work at 7:30 a.m. and knock off at 3:30 p.m., according to ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia. The adjusted office hours took effect on Monday.
Alamia said employees would still in effect be rendering eight hours of work as provided for by civil service regulations. Because they are fasting, there is now no need to take the usual lunch break at noon, she said.
Alamia said in Memorandum Order 280, which was signed and approved on June 27 by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, non-Muslim employees “will continue to subscribe to the regular working hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a noontime break.”
She said with the directive, Hataman hoped government services would not be hampered because of the fasting.
In Muslim countries, particularly those in the Middle East, civil service comes to a near halt during Ramadan, with most government offices open only half the usual time.
Known as sawm, fasting during Ramadan – the ninth month in the lunar Hijra calendar – is required of all able-bodied Muslims. Exempted from fasting are travelers, pregnant women and people who are sick.
From dawn until sunset, fasting Muslims should refrain from eating, drinking liquids, and even smoking.
They should also abstain from sex. Other fasting Muslims, although this is not stated clearly in the Koran, also avoid swearing, engaging in altercations or even listening to music as they argue that the whole month should be spent on religiosity.
Fasting, scholars say, also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, and sacrifice. With a report from Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao
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