Rama thanks Muslims for cooperation, unity

CEBU, Philippines — In time for the end of the Ramadan, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is grateful for the unity the Muslim Filipinos have shown and extended to Cebu City and to the government.

The mayor said he, together with the rest of the Cebu City government officials, is always thankful for the valuable contributions of Muslim Filipinos here.

“Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh…We have always been thankful. We all have to be one, we cannot afford division,” Rama said in his Eid message.

Rama is also looking forward for them to participating in the next activities that the city government is organizing, including a night market in the Carbon District.

“Muslim brothers and sisters, you are part of the Sinulog, the night markets and all other events that will bring night market in Carbon district night market. We cannot be the only one, we all have to be as together as one,” said Rama while also mentioning the Chinese community and various vendors’ associations.

“And we always recognize (Muslim Filipinos), even in the time of former mayors Tommy Osmena, Garcia, Edgardo Labella and now that I’m back as mayor,” added Rama.

Rama said they also look into the welfare of the Muslim brothers and sisters as part of the city of Cebu, even if some of them go home during elections.

Rama hopes that in the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections later this year and in the 2025 elections, the Muslims here would cast their votes in the city for them to be part of the electorate that will select the next leaders in government.

The mayor has promised to serve them well, just like in the past.

“We will serve you from the bottom of our hearts. Service is our business,” Rama said.

A few months back, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) also recognized the mayor’s support for Muslim Filipinos here.

The NCMF is thankful for Rama’s “inclusive leadership” and looks forward to a stronger partnership with the city government.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Cultural Communities (OMAICC) of Cebu City, on Thursday night, has declared that the Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Breaking the Fast will be today.

The Bangsamoro Mufti, or Islamic judge, has announced that the Eid’l Fitr will occur today, since the crescent moon was not visible Thursday night.

Since the crescent moon signals the start of the new lunar month of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it is essential for establishing Eid’l Fitr.

As Ramadan, a month-long fast, comes to an end, Muslims throughout the world are preparing for Eid al-Fitr 2023. The Eid start date changes according to when the moon is visible.

This year, it is anticipated to occur tonight.

Since the length of the lunar month is either 29 or 30, Muslims often have to wait until the night before Eid to determine its date.

Local moon sighters will scan the horizon on Friday, April 21, after sunset to look for the crescent moon in nations where Ramadan began on March 24.

Eid will be observed the following day if the new moon is visible (known as Chaand Raat). If not, Muslims will observe a one-day fast to finish the month’s thirty days.

Once the moon sighting has been verified, the Eid is announced on television, radio, and in the mosques. — Normina Cayambulan, Biliran Province State University intern (CEBU NEWS)