ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman |
Cotabato
City (June 14, 2018) – Close to four million Muslims residing in the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will celebrate the three-day Eid'l Fitr this
weekend. Pending the result of moon sighting, this year’s Eid will either start
on Friday, June 15, or on Saturday, June 16.
In
his message on Thursday, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said breaking fast every
sunset during iftar, should remind everyone that unity is integral in
overcoming any struggle. “Just as wickedness might be contagious, the
righteousness of those around us brightens and amplifies our own,” he said.
“Banded
together – as peers and friends, as families, as communities, as one people
sharing the same aspirations – we become even more mindful of the greatness we
can achieve through Allah.”
He
added that Ramadan is a time of both reflection and struggle amid so many
choices even as Muslims are taught to submit to the will of Allah; to side with
what is kind, just, and good; to be cleansed of negativity; and emerge from
every challenge with peace and greater clarity of purpose.
“We
rise today in jubilation and gratitude to Allah who gave us the strength to
overcome our struggles and to remain righteous as we did. By his boundless
benevolence, too, did we find solidarity with each other. In this togetherness,
we found even greater purpose and resolve,” the governor said.
During
Eid al-Fitr, Muslims congregate in open areas to perform prayers followed by a
short sermon given by the Imam, or worship leader. Family gatherings, feasts,
visits to relatives and friends, and exchanging of gifts are part of the
celebration.
Yusuf
Eldani, 24, a Sama living in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, said people working outside
their province come home to Tawi-Tawi to celebrate the Eid. “And we renew our
expressions of gratitude and forgiveness to one another,” he said. “Pagkatapos
magsagawa ng congregational prayer, may kaunti kaming salu-salo,” Yusuf added.
Thousands
of Muslim residents in this city are expected to attend the congregational
Eid'l Fitr prayer to be hosted by the ARMM government.
Engr.
Avila Abobakar, administrative management services director of the Office of
the Regional Governor (ORG), said the ARMM government has been preparing for
the congregational prayer where 5,000 to 7,000 worshipers can be accommodated
inside the regional government compound.
The
prayer will be held at the ORG Quadrangle stretching to the areas of the
Interior and Local Government regional office to the Regional Legislative
Assembly.
“Kapag
Eid'l Fitr, usually ay umuuwi ako sa amin sa Pikit, North Cotabato para
makasama ko ang aking mga pamilya at kamag-anak,” said Murad Sagad, an ARMM
government employee. "Nagluluto kami ng mga pagkain upang mapagsaluhan ng
aming pamilya, kasama na rin ang aming mga kapitahay,” he said.
“Kahit
kaunti lang ang aming inihahanda, ang importante ay may mapagsaluhan kami
pagkatapos naming magsambayang sa Masjid,” he added. Sagad prays a Bangsamoro
Basic Law (BBL) will be enacted into law.
“Ngayong
tapos na ang Ramadan, hinihiling ko na sana ay ibigay na ng gobyerno sa atin
ang BBL, iyong hindi diluted version. At sana magkaisa tayong lahat, Muslim,
Kristiyano o Lumad man, upang wala nang gulo,”he added.
Police
Senior Superintendent Marcelo O. Pintac, ORG - Intelligence Security Service
director, said all security forces are now in place in coordination with the
Cotabato City Police Office. The Bureau
of Fire Protection shall also assist in cleaning the floor area for
prayer. He said vehicles will park at
the back portion of the compound.
Pintac
said that this year’s security preparation is much more intensified to ensure
the welfare of the worshipers. He further stressed that peace and security lie
not only in the hands of the security forces but also in the hands of the
residents.
“Malaki
rin ang parte ng mga mamamayan natin sa pag-maintain ng peace and security
during the prayer. Pinapaalalahanan natin sila na iwasan ang pagdadala ng mga
backpacks at mga weapons para sa maayos na pagdadasal.”
The
Office of the President has declared Friday, June 15, a regular holiday
throughout the country in observance of the Eid al-Fitr through Proclamation
No. 514 Series of 2018. (Bureau of Public Information)
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