ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Beng Climaco joined the Muslim community in Zamboanga City in the celebration of Eid’l Fitr which marks the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan on July 17.
“I want our Muslim brothers and sisters to know that we value our co-existence. Let us pray for peace, unity and understanding as we approach the Eid’l Fitri celebration,” Mayor Climaco said.
Amidst the challenges, the mayor said residents of the city – Muslims, Christians and Lumads should remain united to attain peace and tranquillity in Zamboanga City.
On July 14, the mayor fulfilled tradition of hosting Pagbukah or sunset meal for fasting Muslims in a solemn ceremony held at the newly-reconstructed road in Rio Hondo, symbolic of the village recovery from the 2013 siege.
In her short message before the Iftar meal, Mayor Climaco stressed that hosting “Pagbukah” during Ramadan is symbolic of unity, sharing and building good relations with the local Muslims and Lumads in harmony with the Christians.
“I feel what they (Muslims joining the Iftar) feel. They are happy to come and see Rio Hondo on its recovery and reconstruction stage since the siege,” Climaco said when interviewed after the “Pagbukah”
The event was made possible in coordination with the City Interfaith Council of Leaders and was attended by fasting Muslims from different villages along with their respective barangay officials.
On Saturday, July 18, the City Government will initiate the Hariraya Festival set at 4pm at the Paseo del Mar.
The Islamic month of Ramadan, during which Muslims around the world abstain from worldly things before sunrise to sunset, culminated in what will be called “Eid-ul-Fitr” locally known as “Hariraya Puasa.” It was a national holiday.
Eid’l Fitr, also known as Ramadan Id, is celebrated by Muslims across the world, at the end of the month of Ramadan. It signifies the breaking of the fasting period, with the sighting of new crescent moon in the evening, on the last day of Ramadan. (Sheila Covarrubias)
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