Eid’l Fitr a holiday

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino declared July 29 as a regular holiday in observance of the annual celebration of Eid’l Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan for the Muslim community, it was learned yesterday.

Aquino issued Proclamation 826, pursuant to Republic Act 9177, declaring July 29 as the start of the feast of Ramadan for Muslims and Muslim-Filipinos, an event celebrated by the Muslim world for three days after the end of the month of fasting.

The proclamation was signed and issued last July 10.

The order was issued “to promote cultural understanding and integration” so that Filipinos, even if predominantly Catholic, would “have the opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr.”

Another purpose is to bring the “religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.”