Rody's Eidl Fitr call on Muslims: Be living examples of faith

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday declared May 25, 2020 a holiday as he called on Muslim Filipinos to be “living examples” of Islamic faith as the world celebrates Eid’l Fitr while grappling with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“As you celebrate the Breaking of the Fast, may the clarity of thought and wisdom that you have attained from this undertaking inspire you to be the living examples of what is best in the Islamic faith,” Duterte said in a statement.

Duterte expressed hope that the month-long Ramadan fasting has helped the Muslim community nourish their inner strength and fortitude to stay true to the goodness of humanity and at the same time harnessing the best of their capabilities and perspectives.

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated for three days on different dates each year, depending on the sighting of the new moon in the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. This year, the celebration of Eid’l Fitr is set on Sunday (May 24).

READ: Virus challenge looms as Muslims, Christians set to gather

Duterte has declared May 25 as a regular holiday for the observance of Eid’l Fitr through Proclamation No. 944.

The proclamation also reminded the Muslim community to observe community quarantine and safe physical distancing measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has killed over 340,000 people worldwide.

Muslims traditionally gather in mosques to pray on the first day of Eid’l Fitr, but because public gatherings remain banned due to the virus pandemic, they will have to celebrate inside their homes.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez on Sunday were one with Filipino Muslims in the celebration of Eid’l Fitr.

The Romualdez couple greeted Muslims who have had offered sacrifices through fasting and with much closer communication to Allah during Ramadan.

“Our greetings of solidarity, hope, joy, love, and felicitation in marking the end of Ramadan. We are praying that peace will continue to embrace our country, including other conflict-hit areas. Eid Mubarak,” said the Romualdez couple as they enjoined all Filipinos, regardless of religious and spiritual beliefs, in expressing prayers and messages of solidarity for the Muslim people.

“Let’s stand together and provide hope and courage to weather various problems, including the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic,” according to the Romualdez couple.

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman expressed gratitude to the Romualdez couple for the good words and valuing their tradition during Ramadan.

READ: Virus lockdowns stifle Eid celebrations as infections rise

“Although the pandemic has thrown most of us into isolation, it did not stop us from fulfilling our spiritual needs. It has provided us an opportunity to spend Ramadan looking inward, and reflecting more during the holiest month. For those who were with their families during the lockdown, the crisis has served as a time to reconnect more strongly or tighten their bonds with their family members as they fulfill the obligations of self-restraint, mercy, and forgiveness during Ramadan,” Hataman said.

The Romualdez couple also called on the international leaders to work for genuine world peace and a permanent halt on the increasing trend of discrimination, vilification, harassment, and deprivation against more than one billion Muslims.