President Marcos has declared April 1 a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid al-Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan. In Proclamation No. 839 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday, the President took note of the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos to make March 31 or April 1 a national holiday to mark the end of the monthlong fast.
In declaring Eid al-Fitr a regular holiday, Mr. Marcos cited the need to “bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid al-Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, and to allow the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid al-Fitr.” Ramadan, or the monthlong period of fasting and prayer observed by Muslims, officially began on March 2.
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the culmination of Ramadan, is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal or the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
