President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged all Filipinos, especially the Muslim community, to unite in celebrating the start of Ramadan.
In his message, the President called on the Filipinos to embody the values of discipline, reverence, and humility.
“The spiritual belief that the gate of Heaven is open during this sacred month calls upon our brothers and sisters to purify their souls against the perils of worldly pleasures as well as seek for forgiveness and peace,” Mr. Marcos said in a message.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer reflection and community.
The President also asked Muslims to include in their prayers those who are “in deep distress caused by hunger, natural calamities and unfavorable circumstances.”
“The rituals and services during Ramadan remind us of our shared moral obligation—regardless of faith—to compassionately take care of each other, uphold our human dignity and stand in solidarity,” he said.
“As a nation enriched with cultural diversity, let us allow our hearts to embrace the profound truth that respect conquers division, understanding obliterates prejudice, and love prevails over all,” he added.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Mufti Abubakar Abu Huraira Udasan declared that Thursday (yesterday) was the start of the 29 to 30-day Ramadan.
Udasan, who had studied comparative religions in Jerusalem, said Muslims “usually feel Christian appreciation toward them during Ramadan,” because “fasting has been the only living tradition practiced by believers at various times of the biblical age.”
Exempted from fasting are the pregnant, lactating mothers, women in their menstrual period, the weak and old persons, those falling ill or at their sickbed, children below the age of puberty, and travellers.
