Ramadan is a tradition of all Muslims around the world. It is a month of prayer, reflection, and community. The Muslims
Have religious practices such as fasting from dawn to sunset, having more time for praying, charity works for the poor, nightly prayers, and recitation of the Quran. Ramadan started on April 13, 2021, and would end on May 11, exactly 30 days. At the end of Ramadan, the celebration is called the “Eid:l Fitr”.

In the Philippines, the Eid’l Fitr is commonly known as Hariraya, Buka, Hariraya Buka, or Hariraya Buka Puasa but mostly known as the Wakas ng Ramadan (End of Ramadan), Araw ng Raya (“Feast Day”), or Pagtatapos ng Pag-aayuno (“End of the Fast”). For the Muslims in Palawan, they will celebrate the Eid’l Fitr inside the Mosque.

According to Ibrahim Abdulkarim, an Al-Farouq Institute uztad, explained that the date for the Eid’l Fitr will base on the moon sighting on Tuesday (May 11).

“Mayroon pero sa loob ng mosque insha Allah. Kami-kami lang sa malapit dahil sa restriction din kaya hindi kami sa field,” Abdulkarim said on a text message addressed to palawan-news.

“Halos ganoon (katulad noong 2020) pero hindi masyado kasi tulad ng simbahan ng Katoliko na puwede na rin magsimba, noong nakaraan bawal talaga. Ngayon puwede na, sumunod lang sa protocol. Kailangan naka-mask mga nagsisimba tulad namin, may mask din kami,” Abdulkarim added.

Abdulkarim said that Muslims that can attend in the Mosque were reduced and there are only 150 persons enters on praying hour in a day, in compliance with the health protocols.

On May 10, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1142 declaring May 13 (Thursday) as a regular holiday throughout the country.

As stated “Whereas, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join the Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures;

“Whereas, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos has recommended to declare Thursday, 13 May 2021, a national holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan) and;

“Whereas, in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the force national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Thursday 13 May 2021 a regular holiday throughout the country;

“Now, Therefore, I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Philipines, by the virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Thursday 13 May 2021, a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan).

“In Witness, I have hereunto set my hand to seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Proclamation No. 1142 was also signed by the Executive Secretary, Salvador Medialdea.