ARMM observes Isra Wal Miraj

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Islamic communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and surrounding towns are observing since dawn Monday the Isra Wal Miraj, a non-working religious holiday.

The Isra Wal Miraj, for Muslims, means the nocturnal journey to paradise of Prophet Mohammad, who is regarded as Islam’s progenitor.

Islamic teachings says that Mohammad ascended to heaven from Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia, via Jerusalem, on the spot where the Al Aqsa mosque stands, a holy site for Muslims, and also known to them as Al-Haram Ash-Sharif, or "noble sanctuary.”

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman declared May 26 a non-working holiday to give his Muslim constituents enough time to celebrate the Isra Wal Miraj.

Malacañang recognizes Isra Wal Miraj as one of the country’s Islamic religious non-working holiday under Presidential Decree 1083.