COTABATO CITY - The country's Muslim community celebrated Saturday the Islamic New Year “Amon Jaded,” a non-working holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The holiday also covered areas outside of ARMM including Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, in parts of the Zamboanga peninsula and in the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian and Zamboanga.
The Amon Jaded marks the first day of Muharram, the first month in the lunar-based Islamic Hijrah calendar.
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman declared Saturday a non-working holiday, based on his authority to declare regional holidays.
The month of Muharram comes after the Hajj season, where Muslims that can afford the cost of travel perform the pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia as a religious obligation.