INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
A long weekend is coming up after President Duterte declared June 26, a Monday, a regular holiday in observance of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
Proclamation 235 said June 26, which falls on a Monday, was declared a holiday “in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid al-Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.”
It noted that the Muslim world celebrates Eid al-Fitr for three days after the end of the month of fasting.
Republic Act No. 9177, enacted into law in 2002, declared Eid al-Fitr as a regular public holiday the exact date of which will be determined by presidential proclamation.
The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in the world to recognize Eid al-Fitr as a public holiday.
“The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid al-Fitr,” it said. —LEILA B. SALAVERRIA