MALACAÑANG has announced that June 26 is a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan.
President Rodrigo Duterte, in Proclamation 235 dated June 16, said the entire Filipino nation should have the "full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony."
"In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Monday, June 26, 2017, as a national holiday in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr," the President said.
"Therefore, I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me be law, do hereby declare Monday, 26 June 2017, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan)," he added.
The proclamation of Eid'l Fitr on June 26 was done upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
Eid'l Fitr marks the end of the holy month of fasting for Muslims.
Republic Act 9177, which was signed into law by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declares the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, a regular holiday across the country.
The law states that the "approximate date of these Islamic holidays may be determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient." (VoxPop Philippines)
