President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 13 a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid’l Fitr, or the Muslim festival of breaking the fast.
Duterte issued Proclamation No. 1142 on Monday, where he said “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’l Fitr, subject to community quarantine, social distancing and other public health measures.”
“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Thursday, 13 May 2021, a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos recommended declaring May 13 a national holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr.
Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by Muslims for three days after the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, starts on April 13.
About six percent of the Philippine population is Muslim.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk for 30 days, with the exception of early meals known as suhur and evening meals called iftar. John Ezekiel J. Hirro