MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte wished Filipino Muslims here and overseas “Ramadan Mubarak,” or a blessed Ramadan, marking the celebration as a reminder of the mercy and blessings of Allah.
In a press release, he expressed his desire for the holy month to be “truly holy” and “meaningful”.
“This most sacred month is not only a period for Muslims to concentrate on prayer and making amends, but also a time for them to experience and enjoy Allah’s mercy,” Duterte said.
He voiced hope that the holy month would bring Muslim Filipinos even closer to Allah.
“Similar to how the period of fasting ends with feasting, it is my hope that all your efforts for discipline and reflection will be rewarded with revelations as well as a deeper connection with Allah,” he added.
He also hopes that the occasion would enable the teachings of the Qur’an to take precedence over all their decisions, “even the smallest ones”.
“Let the enlightenment that comes with your contemplation lead you to live with integrity for yourselves and for the nation, especially now when it is needed most,” he said.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting.
It starts and finishes with the crescent moon’s appearance.
During the entire Ramadan, devout Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset, which they consider a period of introspection, communal prayer in the mosque, and reading of the Qur’an.
In addition, they give charity to the poor and abstain from vices.
The end of Ramadan, also known as Eid al-Fitr, will be celebrated on the first three days of the Shawwal, or the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
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