COTABATO CITY – Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has urged fellow Muslims to religiously observe the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan to achieve peace in Mindanao.
Hataman also extended his greetings of peace and prosperity to all Muslims and reiterated that Ramadan is the “time when we strengthen our commitment to lasting peace and development in Mindanao through fasting and prayers.”
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, or the Hijri calendar, based on the lunar cycle, which began in AD 622 when the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina.
“This is the time where we renew our devotion and reflect on our faith as Muslims who are guided by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Almighty and merciful Allah,” Hataman said.
“Let us take this opportunity to spread the message of love, compassion, and peace among us and to our non-Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao, the Philippines, and across the world,” he added.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk because fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other acts of worship are the ‘shahadah’, which is the declaration of faith; ‘salat’, the five daily prayers; ‘zakat’, or alms giving; and ‘hajj’, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ARMM government adjusted the working hours of Muslim employees, which started on July 18 – from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. – this schedule will last until the Eid al-Fitr or “feast of breaking the fast” on July 17, or July 18.
About 60 food and non-food exhibitors showcased their goods and services inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City. Trade Secretary Sakiran Hajan said the event is not exclusive for Muslims.
He said there are series of activities lined up for the month-long celebration, which include Qur-an reading, Islamic symposia, cultural presentation, free Iftar (fast-breaking) and nightly events sponsored by different ARMM line agencies. (Bureau of Public Information)
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