Eid al-Fitr

The Philippines declare May 13 a regular holiday for Eid’l Fitr

The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has declared Thursday May 13th 2021 as a regular holiday in observance of the Eid‘l Fitr, the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos recommended the national holiday, Duterte said in Proclamation No. 1142.

“The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures,” the President said.

Eid’l Fitr is a Muslim religious holiday celebrated globally as the last day of Ramadan. Its date depends on the Islam lunar calendar, so it changes each year. Eid al-Fitr is often called “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” The holiday originated with the Islamic prophet Muhammad who had the Koran revealed to him during Ramadan.

Ramadan is a holy month each year when Muslims try to “elevate” spiritually, which means worshipping and becoming closer to God.

For Muslims, Eid’l Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It’s a joyful holiday when the faithful celebrate the completion of 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting.